David Norris (Independent)

I welcome the fact that the House is due to debate the fiscal compact treaty later. This is an appropriate day on which to consider this matter, particularly in light of the comments made by that Finnish Alice in Wonderland, Mr. Olli Rehn, who, perhaps unwisely as I have discovered, uttered the Latin phrase "pacta sunt servanda" which, as everyone is aware, roughly translates as "Croppies lie down". Mr. Rehn made his comments at a time when, most appropriately, the Spaniards are being allowed to vary the terms in respect of their budget deficit.

Will the Leader indicate whether it would be possible, during our debate on media issues with the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Deputy Rabbitte, to take account of a very interesting article by Fergus Finlay which appeared in this morning's edition of the Irish Examiner under the headline "Any inquiry into presidency vote should cover all media coverage"? Part of the final paragraph of the article is worth noting because it states "if a public enquiry is necessary into one corner of the coverage of the presidential election, maybe it would be healthy if the motivation and methods of the entire coverage was explored under oath by an eminent judge". That is a very reasonable comment and I would like it to be extended to the coverage of media generally, particularly in light of the Leveson inquiry in Britain at which significant witnesses indicated that their own newspapers had extended exactly the same practices used in the latter jurisdiction to their Irish editions. The Minister refused to appoint a representative to protect the interests of Irish citizens in this case, refused to introduce privacy legislation - I will be taking matters into my own hands during Private Members' time on Wednesday of next week - and refused to hold an inquiry. I want to see some action in respect of this matter, particularly as the rights of citizens are being systematically violated, rather than being obliged to listen to people on the other side of the House uttering a load of old blather and making pusillanimous statements.