Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)

Only a short passage remains. Perhaps with the consent of the House I could finish; otherwise, I would have to leave it over to tomorrow.

We must be mindful of the constitutional right to one's good name and must ensure that mechanisms for protecting and vindicating citizen's rights are effective. This means we must continuously subject to review all statutory mechanisms for protecting and vindicating those rights. We have a duty to uphold those principles.

I am somewhat surprised at the position expressed by some Fine Gael and Labour Deputies. They seem to show little regard for the existing right of privacy of citizens and the balance between competing rights. Do they suggest or advocate that violations of privacy be privileged in most if not all cases, rather than seek to provide the appropriate balance instead? There is no threat, as Deputy Flanagan and others might assert, to investigative journalism that rightly seeks to hold Government, institutions of the State, business and other organisations up to scrutiny. The opposite is the case.

The Defamation Bill 2006 respects and provides the necessary balance between the competing rights of freedom of expression and of the respect for one's good name and reputation. I intend to advance the Defamation Bill. In view of the fact that the issue of privacy may affect individual members of the public, my Department will continue to take into account developments in this area of the law in our courts and elsewhere and views expressed by interested parties and the public on the details of that Privacy Bill. We will examine suggestions and consider drafting appropriate amendments. I appreciate Deputies' contributions and will bear them in mind during the preparations for Committee Stage.

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