Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)

It is important to have accountability in respect of the trips abroad. It also is important in this time of economic recession to tell the world that Ireland is open for business and has an educated and great workforce that is ready and willing to work. Equally, it is important, in light of the recent events in the North, to tell the people of the world that we are united in the pursuit of a peaceful Ireland.

I ask the Leader to invite the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources to the House to discuss the impending cutbacks in RTE. The decision by RTE to axe "Questions and Answers" is regrettable and wrong. It continues a trend in broadcasting to eliminate jobs, public service broadcasting and, more important, current affairs and talk radio. As for public service broadcasting, RTE has a duty to present current affairs to the nation, and "Questions and Answers" was an extremely good programme. I have been in its audience but not on the panel.