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

The commission has a very wide agenda already and it would not have been correct to include defamation as well. Defamation in itself can be complex and needs a separate process involving the Department of Justice and Equality, the Minister with responsibility for media, Deputy Catherine Martin, and the Government as a whole. Defamation needs to be reviewed and we will follow through on the programme for Government commitment.

The Deputy said that some social media platforms do not generate content but quite a lot of them do generate their own content. It is a new media platform which many use and for some it can be very liberating and productive. People who may never have gotten an opportunity to contribute through traditional media fora get such an opportunity online. There are some fantastic blogs and journals and that has to be acknowledged.

See this speech in context