Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail)

The Minister embarked on wide consultation on this entire area. He mentioned the conference which he arranged in UCD in 2003. In fact, I did not realise it took place that long ago. It was an interesting conference. I stated previously in the House that it was illustrative for Members, if only there had been more present, on the views of the press about politicians, prejudicial and all as such views were. It also emphasised clearly the need to take a balanced approach to this. If one comes down totally on the side of protecting the individual, obviously one impinges on freedom of expression and the freedom of the press, but if, as Senator Cummins has suggested, one goes the other way and allows no checks and balances on what the media publish and one takes a publish and be damned approach, one will definitely cause serious consequences for individuals.