RTÉ response to media criticism
Senator Ned O’Sullivan says RTÉ should answer Senator Mullen’s serious criticism and acknowledges that the abortion issue will eventually require debate in the Chamber. He briefly comments that Brexit cannot be allowed to proceed too slowly.
I have been called lots of things, but it is a long time since I was called "Edward".
Comment on this
I was listening to Senator Rónán Mullen on the television before I came into the Chamber. I have to say he has levelled some very serious criticism at RTE. It behoves RTE to take that criticism seriously and come up with an answer to it. If the Senator is right and I suspect he is, RTE has a case to answer. He has been involved in this issue previously and undoubtedly has a strong position on the repeal of the eighth amendment. There are Members of this House who, like me, do not cross bridges until we come to them. Sooner or later, this issue is going to land into the Chamber. I would like to see a more reasoned debate, with a better proliferation of information on both sides of it, in order to allow us to come to our own conclusions, as we undoubtedly will in due course.
I congratulate the Garda nationally and particularly in the Limerick area on its outstanding success in recent days in bringing about the incarceration of some very serious criminals arising from a drugs bust of very big proportions. This is just another step in the long road that is the battle against organised crime in Limerick and nationally. It is great to see the Garda in the pursuit of law and order coming out on top. The turning of the corner in the fight against crime in one of our major cities is the greatest tribute that could be paid to the memory of the great late Jerry McCabe who was cruelly and foully murdered by the IRA 20 years ago this year.
I commend Senator Kieran O'Donnell's motion on the Brexit issue. I think it would be very timely if we were to tackle this in the Seanad. It is great to see Mr. Hollande here with us today after what the people of France have gone through. We sympathise with the British public in the dilemma in which it has landed itself. Obviously, Brexit is a huge issue for Ireland and the rest of Europe. I agree with the Prime Minister. We are in an especially delicate position with regard to the British. As Bob Dylan famously said in one of his quirky love songs to his girlfriend:
But if you got to go, go now,
Or else you gotta stay all night.
Comment on this
It seems the British are planning a very slow Brexit. I do not think that is on.