Michael McDowell (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I wish to be associated with the words Senator Boyhan spoke on behalf of our group in respect of Senator Landy. As one of the radicals in this House I say there should be more of us.

On the way to the House this morning I was listening to my car radio and wondering about current political events when an ad break took place. I do not know how many other Members heard the particular advertisement but it announced that there was good news for the self employed and that from now on they would be entitled to certain social welfare benefits, to which they were previously not entitled. I suppose that is good news. The announcement then said, "This is a Government of Ireland initiative sponsored by the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection". The advertisement finished with the statement that the hope is that the self employed will not have to make use of the measure, which is a fairly obvious thing to say. I asked myself about this "Government of Ireland imitative" being used as a logo on State announcements. It immediately became apparent to me that it is the strategic communications unit which is now going to stamp every State advertisement, in particular at politically sensitive times, that the good news is a Government of Ireland initiative. That is what the €5 million is being spent on.