Politicians' anger over coverage of South American trip

Critical press coverage of a recent Oireachtas Committee trip to South America was “despicable” it was claimed today.

Senator Marc McSharry said sensational media reports of the fact-finding visit to study salmon fishing and ports had made it sound like members of the Marine Committee were “gone surfing” to Argentina and Chile.

Committee chairman Noel O’Flynn had been criticised for his comments on RTE when he reminded a Morning Ireland reporter that the committee would soon be quizzing the national broadcaster on its licence increase.

Mr O’Flynn later denied there was no implied threat in his remarks.

Several committee members today criticised the media for their reporting of the €13,000 visit which lasted 12 days.

Senator Kathleen O’Meara said she felt Mr O’Flynn’s remarks reflected badly on the committee and she wanted to disassociate herself from them.

“The media is not only entitled, but very welcome to question what we do when we’re on trips abroad.

“I don’t think it serves this committee to have taken umbrage at the fact that RTE and the Irish media were simply questioning what this committee was up to,” she said.

Mr O’Flynn said: “I was using the analogy of comparing value for money for both organisations. It was certainly not a threat.”

Senator McSharry commented: “In connection with reports both in the broadcast and print media, I found it absolutely despicable.

“It was as if Deputy John Perry and Deputy O’Flynn and others were gone surfing to South America.

“I found it called the name of this committee and its work into question. I was embarrassed as I set out to have to defend this after reading the papers and hearing particular shows.

“There is an onus on us an Oireachtas Committee to ensure that the representation of the facts is true and clear and transparent.”

Mr McSharry called for full reports to be read after each foreign trip.

He added: “I hope and look to the press benches behind me are as packed then after each committee as they are today and our work is reported upon with the same eagerness and enthusiasm however more factually focusing on these trips rather sensationalising about where one might be staying.”

Senator McSharry said the cost of the holiday would not pay for a conference for 50 delegates in Cork.

The committee had met today to discuss The Digital Hub but were forbidden from discussing the Media Lab as it is currently probed by the Public Accounts Committee.

Mr O’Flynn read out a verbal report of the South American visit beforehand.