Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Taoiseach for his reply. Former Chief Justice Murray published a comprehensive report about a year ago. I am not aware that any action has been taken by the line Minister on foot of that report, which deals with the issue of protecting journalistic sources.

Second, according to some criteria, the media freedom monitor of the Centre for Media Pluralism and Media Freedom identifies Ireland as very high risk in terms of editorial autonomy, ownership and transparency around ownership, mainly due to the lack of any upward threshold in terms of ownership.

That requires review and consideration by the Oireachtas in general. Legislation relating to the protection of journalistic sources is imminent. Given what has happened, we cannot hang around too long in that regard because this is fundamental to our democracy. I welcome the Taoiseach's comments on the director of the ODCE.

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