Christopher O'Sullivan (Cork South West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I will be as brief as possible as I expect a vote to be called at any moment in the Dáil. The session we had in the audiovisual room was incredibly interesting. In fairness, the witnesses did not have it all their own way and we heard both sides of the story. We listened to the experiences of journalists and we also heard from a number of TDs who felt aggrieved by certain incidents. It was a really good discussion.

The bottom line for me is to address what is happening in terms of the limitations being put on the press. As Senator Cassells said, it is about democracy and the democratic process. I firmly believe that the accelerated rise in disinformation and in the far right, which we have discussed, is down to the fact, as Mr. McConnell mentioned in reference to the editorial process, that people are facing sleepless nights, stress and a chilling effect before publishing a story. Yet, on social media platforms like TikTok, Facebook and Instagram, an individual could stand in front of a building recently talking about the tragic stabbing of a five-year-old in Dublin and assert she was near death, while her family watched, and there were absolutely no repercussions or consequences for that individual. This is happening right across social media. Meanwhile, the press is bound by the requirement to get the facts right as far as possible. That is leading to a situation whereby fake news and incorrect information are widely circulated and the really important role the press had in reporting factual information is being diminished. It is incredibly important that we address this from a political point of view as much as anything else.

Mr. McConnell referred to the serious harm test and applying that to the press council and the proceedings it takes. Will he expand on that? He mentioned there should be a risk where someone fails the serious harm test.