Alex White (Labour)

We must exercise great care in this debate. There is a long tradition of politicians in chambers such as this and elsewhere repeatedly having a go at broadcasters and broadcasting. We must be extremely careful regarding the way we proceed and not just for the reason outlined by Senator Ó Murchú, namely, that many politicians cannot afford to be critical of the media because the day might come when those in the media might turn the tables and have a go at them. I am more concerned about the issue of principle.

Despite what we might like to think, we politicians occupy a privileged position. What we say in the House is included in the Official Report, broadcast on television and published in the media, and people pay some attention to it. What we say can and often is broadcast, or at least we hope it will be. Our words are also published in the media and people pay attention to them. That is a privilege we ought not to abuse or take lightly. We should resist the temptation, and I am not saying anybody has not done so during this debate, to grab the opportunity to engage in partisan or sometimes even personalised attacks on broadcasters, especially in the political field.

I was struck by Senator Walsh's comments about liberals. The word "liberal" has been repeated many millions of times in recent weeks in America — who is a liberal, who is more liberal, if Senator Obama is liberal and what does "liberal" mean anyway.