Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I second Senator Denis O'Donovan's amendment to the Order of Business. I want to place on record my welcome to the ambassador, Dominick Chilcott, and his cousin. He is fulfilling a wonderful ambassador role in Ireland on behalf of the United Kingdom. He is always available to Members of the Oireachtas. He is doing an excellent job and I wish him continued success. I am delighted that he took the time to visit the Seanad today. It is a welcome recognition of our position.

I congratulate Deputy Joan Burton on becoming the second woman to lead a substantial party in Ireland. It is a step in the right direction. Senator Aideen Hayden mentioned comments about ageism but the comments I heard were from Deputy Dominic Hannigan and the Minister of State, Deputy Alex White. Deputy Burton is a very experienced Minister and I believe she will do an excellent job as leader of the Labour Party. From a national point of view it is important to have somebody of her calibre as Tánaiste, and I wish her success.

I refer to an aspect of social media. The Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources should examine cases where people post untruths on social media and members of the public do not have any recourse in terms of having their names vindicated. It has become viral now, and it is a problem that Senators, TDs and councillors are coming across more frequently. There appears to be no regard for the truth or for respectability in the responses made to individuals. It is a form of bullying, and I believe-----