John Gerard Hanafin (Fianna Fail)

We have achieved independence and there is a system of government where people go to great lengths to elect representatives but we find the media are sovereign. That is not as it is meant to be. The media are dictating the pace and setting the agendas but they are trying to wash their hands of the responsibility from subsequent actions.

We are in a very difficult position and we need responsibility from our media. INN, an independent news provider, used to give news to local radio stations but there are now two radio stations providing the news. The realistic term for them is "Newstalk Fine Gael" and "What the Opposition is saying Today FM". Unfortunately, the news is not balanced and the regulator must look at the issue.