Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail)

I support fully section 11. The debate is interesting. Senator McDonald raised the issue of the definition of bodies corporate. It is an issue that should be examined because she referred to organisations that may require protection. I agree with Senator Regan that much of the business activity in this State involves small companies, the directors and owners of which are well known locally. Any aspersions or defamatory statements in regard to the body corporate reflect also on them.

A growing cause for concern in our global economy is industrial espionage. It is not beyond the bounds of possibility that there may be some domestic activity in this area. We do not want to leave open a situation where one corporate body can pay, with impunity, a reporter to do a scurrilous job on a competitor. The section refers to the likelihood of incurring financial losses, and we must be mindful that significant losses can be involved. We must afford the same protection to bodies corporate as is provided to individuals. As Senator Mullen said, it is not a matter of feelings. If a press reporter or feature writer decides to write an article of that nature, the facts should be correct. If they are not, he or she must bear the consequences.