Martin Mansergh (Fianna Fail)

I echo the messages of sympathy to the Lawlor family. Liam Lawlor was active in politics for 20 years, although not as an office holder. He did many good things and performed valuable services notwithstanding what is under discussion in the tribunals. I will refrain from commenting directly on what was written in the Sunday Independent last week but proprietors and boards of management have a general responsibility for what appears in their newspapers. It is right for journalists and newspapers to point out and highlight abuses of power when they occur on the part of governments or politicians but we cannot be afraid of them, no matter how rich or powerful, if they abuse their considerable power. To borrow a phrase, I suggest there should be no more appeasement.