asked the Minister for Justice if he is aware that a report regarding the arrest of certain persons contains the statement that at one stage newsmen were told to disperse or they would be charged for loitering; and if he will make a statement on the matter to make it clear that Irish journalists (a) are entitled to report matters of public interest, and (b) will not be interfered with or restricted by the authorities while on the public streets in legitimate pursuit of news.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Restrictions on Journalists.
55.
Inquiries amongst all the members of the Garda Síochána who were on duty in the area go to show that no such incident took place.
The only time any member of the Force found it necessary to approach newspaper representatives on that day was when a group of photographers was blocking the footpath in Kildare Street, near Leinster House, and an inspector advised them to keep the footpath clear for people passing by. They moved aside immediately and without question and there was no dispute or threat of any kind.
I take it the Minister is aware that a definite statement to the effect suggested in the question was made in the newspaper report to which I refer? Is he aware that in a report in a daily newspaper this morning, it is also stated that the reporters at the scene were first required by the Gardaí to identify themselves and then told they could not stay standing around? Will the Minister agree it is important that a statement should be made by the responsible Minister making it quite clear that Irish journalists will not be harried or harrassed by the authorities in the legitimate pursuit of news on the public streets?
I have no hesitation whatever in giving such an assurance, but I do not think any such assurance can reasonably be called for on the basis of this incident. Apparently, the situation was that the footpath was blocked by a group of people. The Gardaí sought to have this blockage terminated. They approached a number of people and asked them to move on. As far as I know, the Gardaí in some instances were not aware that the people were journalists. The Gardaí have no desire whatever to interfere with journalists in the proper execution of their difficult task.