Ms Susan McKay:

It is too soon to say because it is relatively recently that we started to highlight this particular thing because of the supposed imminence of the new legislation. However, it has become known among everybody as the long-awaited defamation Bill rather than just the new defamation Bill. Therefore it is too soon to say, but as the chairperson of the Press Council of Ireland pointed out, we have a history of getting complaints from public figures and politicians from right across the board in any case.

I would put it slightly differently from my chairman when he said we welcomed the Taoiseach's comments about politicians using the Press Council. I would say we welcomed the Taoiseach's support for our campaign to get people to use the Press Council. We need to keep drumming on about this and it is something people need to be serious about. There is no reason for politicians to go to law if the complaint they have could be brought to the Press Council and the Office of the Press Ombudsman. There is no reason for somebody to not go to law if they feel they need the financial compensation, and I agree with the NUJ on that. However, there is no need for politicians to go that route. It would show a very good example to the public if they came to the Office of the Press Ombudsman and used the Press Council of Ireland's code of practice instead.

It is something I hope to escalate in the coming period to make sure everybody is aware we are asking for this. It would be good when members of the public start to ask politicians why they are going to law on something and why they did not go to the Press Council and the Office of the Press Ombudsman.