Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)

I do not intend to oppose the Minister, but I am disappointed that his amendment will extend the period of time for review by a further year. If he or his successor is so minded, it could be six years before a matter is revisited in any meaningful sense. I accept that a timeframe of three months was ambitious, but a review could be embarked upon within a reasonable period of, for example, six to nine months.

It is important that these laws favour the protection of the citizen, which is at stake. Much of the legislation will affect the operation of the Press Council. I welcome the council's code of standards, its raison d'être, but the code is voluntary. For this reason, matters may change in certain circumstances. The council will be self-financing. The current running cost is approximately €750,000 per annum. The situation may change rapidly. For example, the economic situation might mean that membership of the council will not be as permanent as people believe.

It is important that we have opportunities to review within certain timeframes. A six-year timeframe is less than circumstances might warrant, given that we might need to revert to issues. I am optimistic and believe that the council's operation is in the public interest. Its two annual reports to date have given confidence that matters are working in a way that will be protective of the citizen rather than the media, which is as it should be. I hope that whatever review is undertaken will be done without the passage of an inordinate amount of time.

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