Joe Flaherty (Fianna Fail)

It is not directly related to the Bill but I take issue with a comment by the previous speaker. He said he does not agree with everything he reads in the printed media. It was a disappointing comment, given the veracity of the printed media, particularly in Ireland, is second to none. It operates within the confines of draconian defamation laws and at the same time, we have the Wild West of social media. It is a sector that is under immense pressure through job cuts and job losses. They say we are the last generation of people who will buy newspapers. It is a sector that has served this country incredibly well since the foundation of the State. The Senator phrased it incorrectly or wrongly but it was a disappointing comment.