Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 20 Feb 2001

Vol. 530 No. 6

Written Answers. - Commission on the Newspaper Industry.

Jim O'Keeffe

Question:

100 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the position in relation to the 1996 recommendation of the Commission on the Newspaper Industry that an independent ombudsman funded by the newspaper industry be appointed to investigate breaches of press standards; the reason this has not happened; and if the guidelines of press standards to be applied by the ombudsman which were to be produced by the newspaper industry within two months of the 1996 report have been finalised. [4523/01]

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Ms Harney)

The report of the Commission on the Newspaper Industry, published in June 1996, recommended, inter alia, that an independent ombudsman to investigate complaints of breaches of press standards be established and that guidelines on press standards to be applied by the ombudsman be formulated. These recommendations were to be implemented by the newspaper industry.

I understand that while some preparatory work has been done by the newspaper industry, the recommendations concerned have not yet been implemented. The industry has always linked its acceptance of the ombudsman proposal to changes in the law on defamation and in that respect I understand from my colleague the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform that proposals for legislation on defamation are being prepared in his Department. I support the recommendations regarding the establishment of an ombudsman and the setting out of guidelines on press standards and I also agree that it is for the newspaper industry to provide for these matters.