Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)

I take the Senator's point that it applies across the board. We must also, however, take the defamation legislation into account because where there is a real slight and recourse to justice on that point it does not extend to those who are deceased. While the right of reply provisions are separate and different there are certain similarities and that is why we followed the precept that it does not open a right of reply to someone who is deceased. I understand the arguments raised.

The use of "harm and offence" instead of "taste and decency" is an attempt to be more specific. One can be subjective about taste or what is decent but what is harmful and offensive is more specific and easy to determine. It is not seen as a diminution of the standard but an attempt to have crisper, more accurate language that makes the broadcasting code and policies more specific.