Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Senator Feighan asked where the Irish media were. We could debate the Irish media until the end of time but we will not do so today.

Senator Murnane O'Connor raised the issue of insurance and compensation claims that local authorities must pay, and mentioned that €63 million has been paid out by four local authorities. That is a large amount of money. In my own city of Cork and in County Cork there is a strong compensation claims culture. We need to eradicate such a culture. It is also important that we give local authorities the confidence to carry out work. Funding has been increased. I am happy to arrange a debate on the matter in this House.

Senator Higgins referred to the statements or comments made by the Minister for Social Protection. He is not the Taoiseach.