Ulick Burke (Fine Gael)

There is an important task to be done and that is a very serious responsibility for the Minister who must bring clarity to the situation. At the symposium on freedom of expression last week in Trinity College he noted that "growing attention was being paid to the right of freedom of expression and the responsibilities that flow from the exercise of that right." That is a very important statement. He also said that "In a democracy government is accountable to the people." Why was it necessary for him a few months ago to deny and curtail that accountability by revising the Freedom of Information Act 1997 in a serious and restrictive way? His statement this morning is not reconcilable with his past actions. I cannot take as bona fide the sincerity of the consultation process on which he says he is embarking because his actions always speak louder than his words. Why can he not let us see the accountability he mentioned this morning at work? Why does it have to be hidden and restricted? It is important that we have clarity and that all the arguments about preventing violation of matters relevant to the North of Ireland or to security within the State are put to one side.

Can the Minister tell the Cabinet that he is going to appoint apolitical people to the statutory press council who will represent the public, the media, and many other interested groups? That would be the right way to do it, and return with legislation clearly indicating that everything is above board. This Government does not have the capacity for that because over the years it has tried to manipulate sections of the media. Thankfully there were those within the media who resisted any endeavours to make them toe the Government line. This discussion will be important if we can get the Minister to say that if there is to be a press council there will be no interference from Government and that may be the best way to go. The media do not want sensationalism all the time. It is true that profit is important to the media and that they have to run a business but we cannot forget the many people who have given a lifetime to journalism and who were the epitome of honesty and presented information in a truthful way. Anyone who tries to retract from that is doing so to protect his or her own interests.