David Norris (Independent)

Yes. I would be very happy to second it, if that is agreeable.

Mr. Kevin Cardiff is appearing before a committee of the European Parliament today. I do not wish to impugn the reputation of Mr. Cardiff and all I know about him is already a matter of general knowledge. However, questions have been raised at the Committee of Public Accounts in respect of certain matters, particularly the €3.6 billion that went missing and the advice given to Ministers in the lead up to the events which gave rise to our current and disastrous financial situation. Will the Leader confirm whether it is true that Members of the European Parliament who belong to Government parties and who expressed particular views have been instructed to abstain or withdraw from the hearing relating to Mr. Cardiff? If it is true that they have been so instructed, that will be an extremely serious development. Those to whom I refer were elected not to represent specific Government policies. Rather, they were elected to represent the people of Ireland in the European Parliament. If they do not ask the questions they should ask, they will be in dereliction of their duties. It would appear very bad if questions had arisen about a person and if the Government decided to foist that individual on Europe. This matter relates to our financial standing and to our reputation. I look forward to a reply from the Leader on that matter.

Senator Michael Mullins referred to the appalling case relating to Fr. Kevin Reynolds, a matter I have raised on previous occasions. The Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources has spoken of the necessity of holding an inquiry independent of RTE. The latter has established its own inquiry. I agree with the Minister because there is a very important principle at issue here. I wonder whether what is being done in this instance will be extended to other areas of the media. I have been involved in debates on various items of legislation, including that under which the Press Council was established. That council was not given any powers and it is not even compulsory for members of the media to joint it. The council has no power to impose sanctions and is not independent of the newspaper industry. Every newspaper has carried editorials regarding every other profession in which it has been stated that the only credible regulatory body is one that is independent. As already stated, the body which regulates newspapers is not independent. I would like the House to be provided with some information on that matter.

During the passage of what became the Defamation Act 2009, the then Government promised a parallel Bill on privacy. The Leader played an important role in arguing cogently in respect of this matter. I remember that very well because he was one of a small number of people prepared to do so. The privacy legislation to which I refer has not yet been forthcoming. Is the Leader in a position to indicate when the Government will introduce such legislation?