Mr. Michael Kealey:

First, there will be no argument at all from us with regard to longer terms. Longer legal terms mean more trials and we do not want to deal with delays. The delays do not benefit the plaintiffs and they certainly do not benefit defendants. The longer things go on, we have to carry provisions, it takes up management time, the quicker the trial comes on, and the better it is for everybody. No one is trying to do that and, again, I want to make it clear that NewsBrands Ireland is perfectly in favour of that.

We are not saying we want free rein to defame people. We do not want that. We accept that if people are defamed, they are entitled to compensation. We just want predictability and reasoning. That is all we want. There is always going to be a balance between the right to reputation and the right to freedom of expression. We know that sometimes that line is going to be difficult to draw. For that reason we would like transparent decisions. We would be in favour of that.

Again, I do not believe you will get any argument from NewsBrands Ireland about a PIAB model. We want to reduce costs and have predictability. A PIAB model, of course, would not have a jury. That is self-evident. We would have no issue with that, however. NewsBrands Ireland, and all of the news media, have been anxious to promote ways in which matters can be resolved other than by way of litigation because it is costly and is inconsistent. That is why we are in favour of the Press Council of Ireland, we would be in favour of something like PIAB, and no one is trying to stop that. We do not wish to be reckless. We are human. We make mistakes. If mistakes are made, people are entitled to have their good name vindicated and that may necessarily involve compensation. We are quite happy to speed it up. We just want predictability and transparency.