Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)

Tá an t-am nach mór istigh. I do not want to labour the point but I concur with Senator Norris's comments about the other example. I picked the case of the reporting of the late Liam Lawlor's death.

I will clarify my point. I only met Liam Lawlor's widow on one occasion and I would not know the lady very well. Responsible journalism should have reacted at editorial level in the aftermath of that saga. It not only affected the family but also politics in general because it could have been anyone who was involved. A Fine Gael or Independent Senator or Deputy could have been abroad and had the same allegations made. It should hurt us all.

What I have in mind does not mean Mrs. Lawlor or her family or grandchildren should get substantial damages. If on the following Sunday, however, the newspapers concerned were like-minded in their editorials and front pages and admitted they got the story wrong, I would have greater respect for the media in general.

For most of my life, Irish journalism in its tradition has been very fair-minded and balanced overall. In the past ten to 15 years, unfortunately, with the input of particular tabloid press, some newspapers are trying to out-do their British counterparts. There is almost a competition on how low they can stoop. If there were greater responsibility within the media, legislators could act accordingly.

I am very pleased about the Minister's comments about the Lawlor saga in particular. A Fianna Fáil Ard-Fheis took place that weekend and the incident was a body blow. The reporting was appalling. It might be five or ten years before such legislation will be revisited. I do not take away in any way from the lady in Ukraine who was an interpreter and was wronged. Thankfully for her she was able to use the Irish system to get substantial damages. I am sure in Ukraine or Russia she would not have got one cent. They would probably have told her to go away and get lost. Out of courtesy and respect the very least those newspapers should have done, including broadsheet newspapers — they were not all tabloids, was apologise the following Sunday at editorial level. That is where the Press Council of Ireland and the press ombudsman will have a leading role to play.

The Minister is right to stand back on the Privacy Bill. I listened to Mr. Horgan the other day. He is a very capable person with an interesting background. I hope the press council will be able to work without the need to interfere, prod or wave the stick if people step out of line. If the media can in some way self-regulate and be responsible, they will do a great justice and obviously will save themselves a great deal of money.