David Norris (Independent)

On behalf of the Independents I also thank the Minister for his courtesy and good-humoured informing of the Seanad on a series of matters. It is very appropriate that it should be this Minister, because I notice that the Bill was presented by his aunt, then Senator, now Deputy Mary O'Rourke. The nephew has completed the business. I am sure the aunt will be very pleased when it is reported to her no doubt sometime during the evening.

I welcome that the Minister consolidated the functions of this House by accepting some amendments. One should also compliment the officials who assisted in the matter. They have continued from the earlier debate before the general election. They had the job of drafting many of the amendments. As one who is occasionally a stern critic of certain aspects of the operations of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, I should put this on the record of the House.

I regret that the last amendment was ruled out of order, because I would have liked to see a more independent press council. I hope the issue of public interest will be further ventilated in the other House because it is very relevant. This morning Ms Clare Duignan on behalf of RTE said with regard to a particular controversial programme that she had taken the word of the film-maker. She said she was doing so because there were truths which were in the public interest. In so doing she prejudged the situation. She also closed her ears to the words of the people whose rights have been most vitiated, the young men in Kathmandu. I am afraid of this public interest section particularly if it is operated in that way. I welcome that this long day's journey into night has ended.