Rónán Mullen (Independent)

I wish the Minister of State, Deputy Barry Andrews, the very best in his new appointment. He is a person of considerable ability and he will do well.

I agree with Senator Mary White on how media-driven all our comments seem to be at present, both at Government and politician level. It is not bad when the media is to be commended on bringing issues of public concern to all our notice, but at the same time one wonders whether we live an age of spin and whether we should be spotting these matters in advance before the media must bring them to our attention.