Martin Conway (Fine Gael)

As Senator Catherine Noone is anxious to make a few comments I will facilitate her.

Some of the issues I wished to raise have been discussed. I commend Senator Norris for tabling the Bill which is necessary. We do need privacy legislation but it must be the right legislation and that will take time. Having listened to the Minister's contribution, which was one of the most comprehensive I have heard on Private Members' business since becoming a Member, he is genuinely committed to getting it right, and as Senator Cullinane said, getting the balance right can be difficult. One has to try to balance freedom of speech, empowering people to investigate and at the same time ensure peoples' human rights are protected. There is also the evolving media of the past five to ten years - Facebook, Twitter, the Internet, live news sites, text messages - which has added an uncontrollable dimension to the whole notion of media. Media is a broad church which will include social media. There has been some case law in the area of social media in the recent past. There is a need to get the legislation right and Senator Norris would want us as a combined body to get it right. That is the reason I take hope and encouragement from the Minister's contribution. The matter is a priority for the Government and the House. I am disappointed at the low level of attendance given that during the Order of Business when the Fr. Kevin Reynolds case, Twitter and so on were raised, Members were very anxious to have a debate.