Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)

I accept that - I mean it can be made relatively quickly. My experience of dealing with clients over the years shows that the media clam up when there is a potential action against them. They clam up and deny everything because they must take legal advice. Under this legislation, the media will be able to make a judgment themselves and issue an apology. Many people, because they are afraid of meeting the costs associated with a loss, do not want to take legal action.

I have some sympathy with Deputy Ó Snodaigh's amendment. It could be considered in the context of other legislation. Perhaps I will ask a colleague, probably the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy John Gormley, to do so.

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