Rónán Mullen (Independent)

I was glad Senator Bradford made his point on Eircom in the debate on the Government's motion last night. There is a connection because there are approximately 12,000 homes and businesses that will not be covered by the national broadband scheme. One difficulty regarding the provision of broadband is the failure of Eircom to maintain exchanges. There is a debate to be had on how Eircom was allowed to go the way it did, which is contributing to the present problem.

I disagree with Fine Gael on the portrait of the Taoiseach. There is a thin line between the legitimate entitlement of people to have a national titter from time to time on something that happens and the abuse of people in politics that veers into coarseness. I disagree with Senator Fitzgerald in that it is far from inappropriate of the Garda to investigate what might be an offence. If we start trying to second guess when the Garda can investigate, we will end up in very unhealthy circumstances in which people will be bullied into not having their rights.

In the case in question, an individual was seeking publicity and so were the media. The comments of the producer of the Today FM show demonstrate that the station feels no contrition regarding the abuse of a public personality. We may talk about cartoons in the Daily Mail but The Irish Times, by publishing the portrait, perpetuates the story. This is the way in which the media can be abusive of people's personal dignity. It is appropriate for the Garda to take whatever action is appropriate. It is not correct that television producers sneakily suggest the Garda's motive is based on the fact that the powers that be want the matter to be investigated. This is getting into the business of second guessing when the Garda should do its job. People end up being abused in this process.