Mark Daly (Fianna Fail)

I also support my colleague in regard to the National Asset Management Agency Act and his call for the Minister for Finance to come to the House tomorrow. There is no transparency in NAMA. The sweetheart deals it is doing will eventually come out in the wash but it is the taxpayer who will be at a loss.

I support Senator Mullen's call for a debate on the media. Notwithstanding the discussion scheduled for later today, I ask the Leader to arrange a debate specifically on media standards. We ask for nothing more than that reportage be balanced and fair for any electoral candidate or private person. When we have certain newspapers devoted to pillorying one candidate or another, one cannot say it is balanced or fair. It is incumbent on the Government to take action in this regard. The current legislation is clearly not working. Elements in the media are building individuals up before knocking them down. In the case of one newspaper, it is evident this is being done for fun.

I join Senator Crown in calling for a debate on the situation of the Bahraini doctors, many of whom were educated in Ireland. We must bring whatever influence we can to bear on their situation. I ask the Leader to invite the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to come to the House for a debate and to raise the matter with the Bahraini ambassador.