Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)

The amendment states: "The Minister shall, not later than 5 years after the passing of this Act, commence a review of its operation." As a review could commence after one year, it is wrong to suggest that the time might be six years. I would hazard a guess that six years would be at the outside.

I accept that, since the Press Council is a non-statutory organisation, it is important to pass this legislation so as to underpin the council's workings. The majority of reputable media organs are participating well, but the organisation is untried and untested in effect. This is one of the reasons I wanted to introduce a review mechanism. The Deputy proposed three months to allow consultations to occur, but one year is better. The review could occur after a relatively short period, but it would need to be completed within one year of its commencement.

From my anecdotal examination of newspapers and from what I have picked up from my officials, the Press Council has worked well. As the Deputy stated, it is meant to defend the public rather than the particular interests on the council. In last week's Sunday Times, I read an article in which the chairman of the Press Council criticised two newspapers for not publishing negative judgments made against them. According to Professor Tom Mitchell, "it showed a disregard for the rules for newspapers not to publish full details of complaints that have been upheld".

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