John Gerard Hanafin (Fianna Fail)

Will the Leader contact the Office of the Press Ombudsman? The regulation of the press is not exactly what we require. We have seen the dangers of insufficient and improper regulation in the banking industry. I am especially cognisant of the fact that some of the British newspapers had a particular agenda in respect of the Lisbon treaty and were very unapologetic about this. If they are not going to be fair and impartial, they should at least register their vested interests. Unfortunately, some newspapers — for example, the Daily Mail — even carry anti-Irish cartoons, which are more reminiscent of Punch magazine in the 1880s than of a modern Ireland. I suppose it is the price we must pay for the losses of €76 million the Daily Mail suffered since it came here. Notwithstanding that, putting up with this from the press is a very high price for us to pay.

It is not fair that our national broadcaster, which is subsidised by the people, would represent the Taoiseach not only in an unfavourable light, which is perfectly fair if it is political, but also in a very personal and crude manner. The assessment criteria are very simple. I would not wish to be portrayed in that manner and I am certain the Taoiseach did not like to be portrayed in the manner he was portrayed by RTE.

Will the Leader contact the British companies that are doing business here, such as Tesco and Marks & Spencer, and ask them, in light of the good business they do here, to continue to ensure they keep business in Ireland, not only by buying Irish products but also by ensuring their very significant short-term lodgments are lodged in euro accounts in Ireland for the benefit of the Irish economy? My asking the Leader to make such contact could be raised in the debate on Seanad reform. It would be very useful if, with the agreement of the House, the Leader had the authority of the House to write occasionally to individuals to ask them to take action in a particular manner on matters of public interest.