Jim O'Keeffe
Question:17 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her views in relation to the appointment of an independent ombudsman to investigate complaints of breaches of press standards. [24399/03]
Written Answers. - Newspaper Industry.
The report of the Commission on the Newspaper Industry, which was published in June 1996, recommended, inter alia, that an independent ombudsman to investigate complaints of breaches of press standards be established. This was linked, as far as the newspaper industry was concerned, with changes in the law on defamation.
The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform requested in September 2002 a legal advisory group to advise him on the issues involved in the reform of the law on defamation and related matters. This group had recommended,inter alia, that a statutory press council be established whose functions would include the preparation of a press code of conduct and the investigation of complaints regarding alleged breaches of this code. My colleague, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, is currently involved in a consultation process on the report of the legal advisory group. When this consultation process is complete, the Minister will bring proposals to Government on the law on defamation.