Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)

For some public figures, the situation in more recent times has become more complicated by security issues such as kidnapping or surveillance by criminal or terrorist groups. This must be weighted in the balance in the coverage of their activities. Newsworthy or profit worthy and information versus entertainment, essentially these are the choices facing the media in deciding on the extent of their coverage of individuals lives.

I wish to conclude by referring to two quotations. The first is a statement attributed to Abraham Lincoln to the effect that "let the people know the facts and the country will be safe". I strongly uphold that assertion.