Niall Blaney (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I ask the Leader for a debate on the independence of our media. I am talking about all media across the whole island of Ireland, not just in the Republic. The lack of reporting with regard to what is happening in Derry is extraordinary. I refer to the situation whereby politicians are being stood down by a political party.The legacy of former deputy First Minister, the late Martin McGuinness, has been torn apart. What is the problem with the media in this country that they are afraid to report these things? There are all kinds of rumours in Derry of community moneys not being properly spent. There are also rumours of drugs being involved. It is in everybody's interests that the media report these things. It is extraordinary that, for the last six weeks, the media in this country would not touch the matter. What is wrong with our media? Have they been infiltrated? Are they afraid? Why will they not investigate these things?

Gerry Adams's brother was placed in a Donegal house for three years and had charges of paedophilia made against him. No media would ever touch that story. Everyone knew about it in Donegal but nobody would touch it. In addition, Sinn Féin is spending tens of thousands of euro week in, week out on newspapers, media and independent journalists across the country and they can attack anybody on social media with the drop of an email. Our democracy is under attack at the moment. We are talking about cyberattacks. This attack needs to be investigated and it is much wider than just the Abú website. Our democracy is under attack. It is time our media spoke up and woke up and we got independence for all parties in this State.