Joe O'Toole (Independent)

I join the two previous speakers in their congratulations, and not just to Alan Kelly on his fine victory. I met his most enthusiastic supporter, the local Fine Gael Deputy, Noel Coonan, who was delighted with his success - I thought that was understandable. In the case of Senators O'Reilly, Alex White, Donohoe and Phelan, and particularly Senator Bacik, however, it is important we recognise those who put themselves forward for election. They should be congratulated and supported in every way possible.

I agree that it would be appropriate to have a debate on the current political situation, although perhaps for reasons different from those of Senator Fitzgerald. I caution the two large parties to calm down and remember this is a great game played slowly. They should not rush into anything.

The Irish people, unlike almost every other group in Europe, took the opportunity to have a go at the Government without moving to the far right. I would like to discuss that. If anything, there was a move towards Independents, left wing and centre candidates. That is an important issue and should be recognised at a time when an anti-political vote was cast across Europe. We should look at how Ireland has dealt with this issue differently.

Now that the Leader has lost another quota of what the public would call local authority members and what we would call single transferable votes for the Fianna Fáil Party, perhaps he might be more enthused about Seanad reform, which might offer some proofing against the loss of councillors. This should be put at the top of the political agenda. The Government side is down two quotas since the last local elections and should examine change, even for its own preservation.

Ag an deireadh seachtaine, foilseofar an t-eagrán deireanach den nuachtán Foinse. I have never been a fan of Foinse, it has never given me good press ach caithfidh nuachtán Gaeilge a bheith ar fáil do phobal Gaeilge agus do phobal Gaeltachta na tíre seo. Níl airgead ag teacht chuig an nuachtán ó fhógraíocht, advertising revenue, agus níl dotháin airgid ag teacht ón Rialtas. Tá nuachtán Gaeilge chomh tábhachtach leis na meáin Ghaeilge raidió agus teilifíse. Caithfidh nuachtán Gaeilge a bheith ar fáil do na teaghlaigh, na scoileanna, na mic léinn agus do dhaoine eile. Tá mé ag moladh anseo, cé nach raibh riamh mórán bá agam le Foinse, go gcuirfidh an Rialtas na hacmhainní riachtanacha ar fáil ionnas go mbeidh nuachtán Gaeilge ar fáil do phobal Gaeilge na tíre seo. It is scandalous and outrageous. I am sick and tired of the words of support we get for the Irish language time and again. It is absolutely criminal that there will not be an Irish language newspaper available in this country after this weekend. Can the Government not deal with that? Can it learn nothing? It is another slap in the face for Gaeltacht people sa tír seo. I ask the Leader to arrange a debate on that matter and for the support of the House in that regard.