David Norris (Independent)

I support the Minister on this point. It may not cover a case in which I was involved but it comes close to the point. Over the airwaves I stated that the situation pertaining to the selling of alcohol in Dublin is outrageous. Every huckster's shop is stuffed to the gills with gin, beer and wine and no licence application is turned down. On RTE I said I did not know who gave out the licences or where they lived. I said it was probably Killiney or Howth because they do not live near me and I asked what kind of lunatics they were. RTE was sued because it turned out there was only one person awarding the licences. The guff that came from the solicitors was to the effect that I had called their client — a most distinguished citizen — a lunatic and a madman. It was simply a turn of speech. I said on the programme that I did not know who "they" were, suggesting I did not know how many were involved or where they lived. I used a commonly employed turn of speech but RTE was grilled and filleted by his lordship not once but twice. It should be clear that a claim is particular and that there is malice and intention. It was disgraceful that this action was taken.