I draw the attention of colleagues to the fact that a demonstration will take place outside Leinster House between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. this afternoon. It is to highlight the case of a 16-year-old Palestinian girl, Ahed Tamimi, who since she was a small child has been a significant figure in defending her home and family against the incursions of Israeli troops. On 19 December last year, over a month ago, Israeli troops invaded her house. Ms Tamimi slapped an Israeli soldier in the face, a quite understandable thing to do in the circumstances. She and her mother were arrested and they have in prison ever since. They will be in prison throughout the trial. That is in stark contrast to the release on parole of Israeli soldiers, for example, who have killed Palestinian civilians.

Hear, hear.

I will join the protest and wish to alert other colleagues to the fact that it will be taking place. The treatment of Palestinian children by the Israeli authorities is pretty appalling.

The other matter I wish to mention briefly is the fact that with other Members of the Seanad, I have been critical of RTÉ's broadcasting policy in not covering Seanad Éireann at all on many occasions. There are a number of nights when its programmes deal with the Dáil and committees but we are not even seen as being as important as a committee. I had a message from RTÉ this morning asking me to meet with some senior officials about the situation and I will represent the Seanad strongly in the discussions and suggest that a more detailed coverage is necessary. Sometimes our proceedings are bland and irrelevant and on those occasions there is no reason for them to be covered but I can give one instance of when the House should be covered. When Senator Alice-Mary Higgins got a debate on the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement I spoke to the Fianna Fáil Party and it abstained on the issue, as a result of which we defeated the Government on a major policy issue. The Seanad was not mentioned at all that day, yet when a Member of the Dáil, a woman Deputy, raised it in a glancing fashion on the Order of Business in the Dáil it was all over the television. There must be parity of treatment between Seanad Éireann and Dáil Éireann. We really must be covered when important things arise. I accept that when Senator Mark Daly got the Bill on Irish Sign Language through that was extensively covered and that was a good day for the Seanad but RTÉ should monitor it all the time. I have a feeling there is nobody in RTÉ watching the Seanad so it does not know what is going on. Otherwise it certainly would have picked some instances of days when it did not cover the Seanad at all.

Before I call on the Leader to respond, I wish to briefly comment on what Senator Norris has said. RTÉ is meeting me next Tuesday or Wednesday and if any groups or individuals would like to email me in advance they are welcome to do so and I will raise issues on their behalf. It is a general meeting about the coverage of the Seanad, among other things. To be fair to RTÉ, this meeting was set up as far back as last October or November. I am not sure of the date but for whatever reason something cropped up and I had to cancel the meeting at the last minute. It was not the fault of RTÉ but the meeting is going ahead. I have agreed to it either on Tuesday evening or Wednesday. If an individual or group wishes to raise an issue along the lines of what Senator Norris has said then I would be only too glad to bring it to the attention of RTÉ. The meeting is scheduled for approximately 35 minutes or 40 minutes. In so far as I can as Cathaoirleach I will represent the concerns of the Seanad with regard to the issue Senator Norris raised.

Very good.