Gerard Craughwell (Independent) | Oireachtas source

If we look at a defamation case where the ordinary working guy, Joe Bloggs, is minding his own business and gets mentioned in a newspaper, nobody would be afraid to mention his name. The worst-case scenario is that if the newspaper has defamed him in some way, it will cost a couple of thousand euro whereas if it affects a person with a high profile, as Mr. Feeney rightly pointed out, it could cost as much as €1 million.

My final question is this. We have a separation of powers in this country with the Government or Oireachtas on one side and the courts on the other. It is my view that the press sort of floats between the two. A good strong press is vital for keeping both the Judiciary and the Oireachtas and its Members straight. If Mr. Feeney was given the option tomorrow morning to strengthen the press, what single thing would he believe is most important?