Martin Mansergh (Fianna Fail)

At the risk of annoying some of my learned friends, legislators should encourage a culture of apology. By apology, I mean a proper and full apology. I accept this may not always mitigate the harm done, in which case further litigation is possible. It is right that apologies can be made without strict admissions of legal liability. It would be desirable for Members to try to cut down on libel litigation and for newspapers, without putting their resources at risk, to be encouraged to make proper and full apologies.

While I will not go into details, the Minister will be aware that, a couple of years ago, I was seriously libelled in respect of actions that, in practice, I did not take as an adviser back in 1998. Although I was prepared to go to law, if necessary, after I had made my protest, the newspaper concerned published a letter of mine that stated the allegation made was untrue and the reasons it was untrue in order that people could judge for themselves adequately. Thereafter, I had no interest in pursuing the case any further and am glad to note the libel has not been repeated by any source.