Mr. Séamus Dooley:

The end does not justify the means. That is the cornerstone. The fact that in any individual case there may be justification for an inquiry does not mean that one can simply ignore established rights internationally. We expect journalists to behave in an ethical manner. The NUJ has a code of conduct and expects its members to adhere to that. Newspapers organisations are members of the Press Council of Ireland. Broadcasting organisations are expected to adhere to the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland, BAI, code. I do not think that all of the members of the NUJ adhere at all times to the strict editorial and ethical standards it has. I would not claim that all politicians are good all of the time. I would not claim that any profession is without unethical behaviour. We do not own the media. We do not control the media, and it is not compulsory to be a member of the NUJ. I am equally clear that I would not be in favour of the State controlling the press any further. There are very severe restrictions relating to defamation which curb the media at present. While I understand that there are genuine concerns about infringements I would caution against that as being the basis for not implementing the Murray report.