Ivor Callely (Fianna Fail)

I am inclined to disagree with Senator Walsh on this aspect, but we might get clarification from the Minister on the progress in setting up the structures within the press council. The press has called for defamation reform over many years and we have got there now. I would welcome the establishment of the council. We are in a quandary when it comes to its independence, but the whole area of self-regulation is under threat in many walks of life and it will be interesting to see the manner in which the press council has been structured. For those of us who have dealt with the press, we must accept that there are some very good guys out there. Hopefully, the council will prove its own independence by its actions, and this is where I differ from my colleague to some extent.