Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

-----but it is an outrage that journalists and commentators should be targeted for being forthright in talking about the findings of Mr. Justice Moriarty. If we are now entering a new era in this country where the standards and level of scrutiny being applied to public affairs depends on how a story aligns with the interests of media owners we are actually going backwards. The Mahon report is so serious particularly because it makes a point about systematic abuses. This is a large and challenging issue which goes to the core of public disillusionment towards politics and the failure to fully grasp it and to be inconsistent about accountability do not help rebuild trust.

My party has correctly been held to account for the behaviour of individuals in abusing public office. We are acting on the findings and support the recommendations. I am conscious that people have heard similar sentiments from my party in the past. My message to them is simple: we understand the scale of the challenge we face in rebuilding trust, but there is no task I take more seriously.

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