Gerry Horkan (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I was where the Cathaoirleach is now when the Minister of State arrived. Our business had gone a bit ahead of schedule.

This is a very important proposed EU directive and Government motion and, on behalf of the Fianna Fáil Party, I support it. The Minister of State is here on behalf of the Minister, Deputy McEntee, and the Minister of State, Deputy James Browne. The directive is being brought through the Houses, as the Minister of State outlined, because motions on directives brought forward need the approval of the Oireachtas.

The Minister of State has given a comprehensive speech, and there would be no necessity or value to my repeating or adding to everything he said. I have 12 pages of briefing notes; he probably read out about ten of them. It is an important directive the purpose of which is to protect individuals and bodies and, as the Minister of State highlighted, journalists and human rights defenders in their work. It seeks to stop people throwing money at lawsuits and so on in order to silence genuine, valid concerns people may have when dealing with legislation or proposals in public participation on matters of public interest.On behalf of the Fianna Fáil group, I support the proposed EU directive. The Minister of State has comprehensively outlined what needs to be done. I support the motion and urge other Senators to do the same.