Shane Cassells (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome that, eventually, the long overdue defamation laws seem to be progressing.It is very important and has been called for over a long period by those in the publishing industry and the National Union of Journalists. It is very important as it would allow for proper debate and prevent vexatious complaints. I hope we will eventually see swift action in this regard from the Minister for Justice.

Equally in the sphere of valid criticism, this night last week in the House we were debating the online media Bill. A very important interjection was made at the weekend at the national congress of the GAA when the president, Mr. Larry McCarthy, proposed a protection of volunteers in amateur sports Bill and asked that our committee dealing with media and sport take this up. I spoke to an uachtarán about this and he explained that there was a corrosive assault on civility, affecting players, referees, officials and volunteers in general. The question has been asked in the media over the past couple of days since this address to the national body of the GAA as to why only amateurs should be included. Mr. McCarthy made the point that amateurs return to their place of work and own homes after playing and do not have the protection of professional sports bodies in cocooning from such activity.

This would be a worthy debate and I welcome the interjection by Mr. Larry McCarthy in this respect. I will ask the committee Chairman, Deputy Niamh Smyth, to allow us to examine the matter. It is again an example of the GAA promoting discussion within our country, particularly in this respect with regard to a protection of volunteers in amateur sports Bill. I welcome that interjection made at the weekend.