Vol. 510 No. 6
107 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her views on the establishment of a press council or press complaints commission; and the proposals, if any, she has in this regard. [23465/99]
One of the recommendations of the commission on the newspaper industry which reported in June 1996 was that an independent ombudsman to investigate complaints of breaches of press standards be established. The commission was clear that this ombudsman should be appointed and funded by the newspaper industry, both indigenous and imported. The commission made the point that if the newspaper industry accepted this recommendation, that there should be a change in the law of libel to provide immunity from claims of defamation to the ombudsman.
In November 1996 the then Minister presented an aide-memoire to Government on the recommendations of the commission on the newspaper industry. Government decided that each Minister upon whose area of responsibility the recommendations impact should revert to Government in relation to any necessary legislation. Any change in the laws on defamation as recommended by the commission on the newspaper industry is a matter for the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform.
I support the recommendation of the commission on the newspaper industry regarding the establishment of an ombudsman and I also agree that it is for the newspaper industry to regulate itself in this regard. However, I have no functions or responsibilities in respect of changes to the law on defamation.
