Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)

Recently, we discussed the Defamation Bill and the establishment of a press council and press ombudsman. I listened to a sports programme last night on which a number of contributors referred to an article in a Sunday newspaper which suggested that the Irish soccer manager should buy petrol, pour it over himself and set himself alight. If we are to be subject to this type of journalism, we must return to the legislation to see what kind of a response we can expect from the press to articles such as this. This type of carry on is not acceptable.