Feargal Quinn (Independent)

The integrity of the broadcasting system has been highly valued for many years, but it has been damaged recently by the Fr. Reynolds case and now by the Seán Gallagher case. I support Senators D'Arcy, Paschal Mooney and Rónán Mullen who have all called for an investigation into the matter. It is not enough to have a debate on it in the House; there must be an open investigation into what is happening to ensure confidence in the national broadcaster of which we have been proud and which has done fabulous work during the years. We must ensure we help it to continue in the same vein, as it has been damaged and the only way to overcome the damage is by having an external investigation.

Senator Sean Barrett talked about competitiveness in the building industry. I was stunned - the Sinn Féin Senators will agree with me - to hear builders say we must exclude builders from the North of Ireland. During the years I have found there has been a protectionist as well as a partitionist attitude, forgetting that people in counties Armagh, Down and Antrim are as Irish as anyone else. If we look at what has happened in Switzerland where a move to increase national holidays was rejected in a referendum because it would make the Swiss less competent and endanger jobs, it should serve as an example. If we were given the same opportunity here, would we give the same answer? Certainly not, judging by the way some display the attitude that we should exclude builders from the North of Ireland from building schools here.