Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)

In some cases the chair of the committee may decide that if the discussion continues on certain lines, he must exclude the public because he or she does not wish to have a person's reputation discussed in public. I do not want a situation to arise where a majority can trample down somebody's rights and force the committee down the wrong line. For example, if 51% of the members decided to use the occasion to brutalise the reputation of an individual, the chair should have an overriding duty to remember that certain matters should not be dealt with in public. I do not want a situation where a chairman can force his or her will on a majority and exclude the press. We need more flexibility. I do not know the procedure in the joint committees of the Oireachtas to arrive at the decision to hold the meeting in public or private session, but it is probably the majority view.