Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)

It is introducing an innovation in our law.

The philosophy of this Bill is very clear. As Senator Harris pointed out, we must have a free press, but a free press is not entitled to abuse the reputations of individuals by the publication of falsehoods. When one analyses what is a falsehood — clearly it can be an untrue fact — and when one enters the realm of opinion, "Comment is free but facts are sacred" has always been the old dictum and that has always been reflected in the law. We are not speaking of facts here. We are speaking of opinions.

A few weeks ago Senator Norris, speaking outside this House, stated that the legislation on same-sex couples I was preparing gave nothing better than a dog licence to those affected by it. That is a statement of opinion——