Home News Speeches NAMA, Media Standards, Bahraini doctors - 5 October 2011
NAMA, Media Standards, Bahraini doctors - 5 October 2011 Print E-mail

Senator Mark Daly: We look forward to discovering whether the Minister invited himself to Blanchardstown.

(Interruptions).

Senator Mark Daly: It is ironic that my colleague from Kerry should be talking about publicity stunts when that is exactly what the Minister was engaged in yesterday.

An Cathaoirleach: That is not relevant to today’s Order of Business.

Senator Mark Daly: It is, because the amendment to the Order of Business seeks to have a debate in this House in the presence of the Minister for Health. I support Senator O’Brien in that regard. The Minister has been invited to attend the House time and again but has failed to do so. My question to the Leader is whether the Minister was invited to Blanchardstown yesterday or whether he asked to be invited.

An Cathaoirleach: The amendment to the Order of Business is already proposed and seconded.

Senator Mark Daly: I support the amendment.

An Cathaoirleach: Does the Senator have a question for the Leader?

Senator Mark Daly: I also support my colleague in regard to the National Asset Management Agency Act and his call for the Minister for Finance to come to the House tomorrow. There is no transparency in NAMA. The sweetheart deals it is doing will eventually come out in the wash but it is the taxpayer who will be at a loss.

I support Senator Mullen’s call for a debate on the media. Notwithstanding the discussion scheduled for later today, I ask the Leader to arrange a debate specifically on media standards. We ask for nothing more than that reportage be balanced and fair for any electoral candidate or private person. When we have certain newspapers devoted to pillorying one candidate or another, one cannot say it is balanced or fair. It is incumbent on the Government to take action in this regard. The current legislation is clearly not working. Elements in the media are building individuals up before knocking them down. In the case of one newspaper, it is evident this is being done for fun.

I join Senator Crown in calling for a debate on the situation of the Bahraini doctors, many of whom were educated in Ireland. We must bring whatever influence we can to bear on their situation. I ask the Leader to invite the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to come to the House for a debate and to raise the matter with the Bahraini ambassador.

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