Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I really appreciate this opportunity to speak on this because the role of journalists in reporting from places of conflict is so important. For example in the Ukraine war, we will all be expecting and hoping that people will be brought to justice for the criminal acts that are taking place. The killing of the Irish cameraman, Pierre Zakrzewski, was so upsetting not just to his own family but it was a tragedy for the professionalism of journalism and camera people in this country and throughout the world. To think that nine journalists have lost their lives since the start of this war, this illegal invasion of peaceful people, and the fact that 28 journalists have lost their lives since the start of 2022 quite simply because they are guilty of doing their job. It is a respectable job, the operation of reporting on what is happening and letting us see. Nine journalists died in Mexico obviously because of the serious drug problem there and the fact that the drug cartels believe they can do whatever they wish. The authorities in Mexico seem completely incapable or worse, unwilling, to do anything about this.

To those good people who have lost their lives and their families, it is a tragedy beyond belief to think that they could not go about their duties. The role that journalists are playing and the evidence that they are gathering and giving to the rest of world may prove important during war tribunals that will happen, please God, sooner rather than later, when these people will be brought to justice for the criminal acts they are perpetrating.

These people deserve our support because of their courage and bravery. They are putting themselves in harm's way to make sure we are informed fully and for that we should be eternally grateful.

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