John Gerard Hanafin (Fianna Fail)

I ask the Leader of a debate on the upcoming Privacy Bill and in particular the fact that many Ministers find their private lives have been intruded on in an unacceptable way. This goes across the political divide. I am conscious that this is a relatively new phenomenon. It is sad that it is a British paper, Daily Mail, that is the worst offender. It seems to be applying the same policy as applies in the UK. There was serious intrusion in the UK, including the tapping of certain politicians' mobile telephones, and large settlements have been made in the courts as a result. Given that the Daily Mail employs independent stalker journalists abroad, is it reasonable that they should know the intrusive techniques they use are in breach of the law? The information they supply could only be gained through illegal activity. This has become a serious issue. We cannot allow these unacceptable practices to continue but it is a pity we are forced to introduce a privacy Bill. I am reminded of the cartoon published in the Daily Mail of a turkey ostensibly pretending to be an Irish pig and saying: "Top o' the mornin' to yis. Begorra and bejabers...oink, oink...to be sure...". In my 49 years I have never heard an Irish man or woman speak in that manner. The Irish Daily Mail is the worst offender.