Labhrás Ó Murchú (Fianna Fail)

There are times when major issues of public interest get lost in the midst of peripheral debates. I would like a debate on the following issue with the appropriate Ministers present.

Two members of the Oireachtas received confidential information on certain events in Donegal. They put this information in the public domain as a matter of public interest and a tribunal insisted they reveal their sources, which they were reluctant to do. The matter went to the courts where it was ordered that they reveal their sources and they were compelled to comply.

A newspaper also received an order from a tribunal to reveal its sources of information. The newspaper destroyed the evidence and refused to give the information on the basis that its priority was the protection of its sources. I understood the priority was to obey the law.

Does the media enjoy a superior position under the law than members of the Oireachtas, who have a mandate from the people to act on their behalf? Newspapers have no mandate from the people. I consider this issue relevant to the status and responsibilities of the Houses of the Oireachtas and would like to see it debated very soon.