Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I am surprised by Senator Norris, who is usually very astute about these matters. It will become increasingly apparent to him that Sinn Féin is grooming Fine Gael for after the next election.
I agree with Senator Leyden, who referred to censorship in the media. We have all seen evidence in The Irish Timesthat people who have a conservative point of view are squeezed out because they do not comply with the editorial line. Unfortunately, the same applies to the national broadcaster. I ask that the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources come before the House after the break to debate this issue. There is a statutory obligation on RTE which is invariably ignored. I refer to a recent item on "Morning Ireland" in which a well known abortion advocate was given free rein. This caused untold upset to people who had given birth to children despite having been advised that there were abnormalities which meant they might not survive after birth. One women wrote, on behalf of many such people, to the director general of RTE. She was in that position, but now enjoys her eight year old daughter who is still alive and well. I met a woman last year who was in similar circumstances and had her 12 year old daughter with her. I have no difficulty with anybody who wants to promote abortion. We live in a democracy and people are entitled to do so, but the national broadcaster has a responsibility and a statutory obligation to ensure that the other point of view is put and that points of view are challenged. It is unacceptable, as the letter sent to the director general said, that RTE did not challenge that position.
It is time we considered rationalising the national broadcaster. We do not need the significant numbers of employees and high salaries within it at the expense of taxpayers. It has abrogated its responsibilities, and it is time for a full debate on that.
On a more positive note, a television programme was shown yesterday about the life of Seamus Mallon. It was presented by John Bowman. It was an excellent programme and reminded me that Mr. Mallon has been the most outstanding politician, in my view and that of many others, over the past 40 years in Northern Ireland. It is a matter of regret for politicians in Ireland, and particularly the SDLP, that he never had the opportunity to serve as leader. The party would have been in a stronger position if he had. I ask the Leader to give serious consideration to inviting Mr. Mallon, a former Member of the House, to reflect on the current situation in Northern Ireland-----