Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)

People chasing a good current affairs or news story may tend to continue on that route and thus lose sight of the truth. I am concerned about this. We must ensure news and current affairs broadcasting is accurate and truthful. Whether that is encompassed in the word "balanced" or is represented by "fair to all interests" is difficult to know. This is a matter for which it is difficult to legislate. It is appropriate for us to set into a code the long-established rules in regard to broadcasting duties and to allow for them to be applied by a regulator. It would be difficult to find the appropriate wording which would allow us to legislate that people should seek the truth. It is the job of politicians to be brave and to challenge something in the media which they know to be inaccurate. A healthy tension exists between politics and journalism in this regard.

I listened to the debate with interest. However, I am reluctant at this stage to accept amendments given we are dealing with complex, important and crucial issues. While the debate has been worthwhile and useful, I am reluctant at this stage to amend the codes as set out in the Bill. While many of the codes will allow us to achieve what we want we must leave it to the authority to establish, monitor and implement them.