Rónán Mullen (Independent)

In the spirit of debate, the Order of Business presents an opportunity to Senators to raise issues of concern to the public. I appeal to Senator Cassidy to withdraw the motion in order that it can be deliberated on in the proper way, as suggested by Senator O'Toole.

I thank Senator Labhrás Ó Murchú for raising the issue of RTE's decision on medium wave transmissions. I am concerned that RTE does not think sufficiently of its remit as a public service broadcaster. When it comes to the salaries of its leading lights, one would not think it is a public service broadcaster. It is all too easy to forget our emigrants and those who tune in to morning mass on a Sunday or whatever else but who do not have long wave or medium wave on their radios. Before Christmas I raised the shameful lack of radio and television services for elderly people, particularly those in nursing homes. It is another example of RTE not fulfilling its remit as a public service broadcaster.

I thank the Labour Party — something I seldom do — for its courageous stance in opposing the sex industry and calling for curbs on lap dancing clubs. At the very least we should give the power to local communities to say "no" to such clubs. The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Gormley, has stated he cannot make a specific commitment on the issue because he does not want to pre-empt a forthcoming Government policy document. However, if it was a matter pertaining to the environment, he would rightly express his personal views as a Green Party Minister. Social responsibility demands of us that we give the power to communities to refuse lap dancing clubs because, at the end of the day, the free market stops when we start to exploit other people. That applies as much to the denial of the integrity of women's bodies as to the sale of organs for medical purposes. I ask the Government to take a courageous stand by initiating a debate in this House at the earliest opportunity in order that we can all be heard on the issue.