The Order of Business is No. 1, a motion, to be taken without debate, which refers the Social Welfare Consolidation Bill 2005 to the Standing Joint Committee on Consolidation Bills, and which also provides for the nomination of additional members, sets the date for the first meeting and allows for agreement on more than one section at a time; No. 2, statements on the report of the Joint Committee on Communications, Marine and Natural Resources on salmon drift netting, draft netting and angling (resumed), to be taken on the conclusion of the Order of Business and to conclude no later than 4.45 p.m., with contributions of Senators not to exceed eight minutes each, and the Minister will be called on to reply no later than five minutes before the conclusion of the statements; and No. 3, Adoptive Leave Bill 2004 — Report and Final Stages, to be taken at 4.45 p.m.
Order of Business.
Many years ago I attended a European conference accompanied by the late former Deputy Liam Lawlor and many others. On that occasion I discovered what a larger than life character Liam was and what a sense of humour he had. In all the years since, when I met him that sense of humour never deserted him, despite his being involved in tribunals. It is with a certain sense of sadness today that we all reflect on how he died tragically thousands of miles away. I extend the sympathies of my party to his wife Hazel and family.
In that context, last weekend was a very bad weekend for a certain section of the media. Most of us were disgusted and appalled at the type of media frenzy that seemed to descend on certain people regarding the facts surrounding the case. In the past there have been many approaches to this House from the media to relax the libel laws. Reflecting on the weekend, I compliment the maturity of RTE. Even though some in the House criticised RTE last week, it did not enter into that type of media frenzy and did not speculate on the events surrounding Liam's sad death. While representatives of the newspaper in question have apologised, much damage has been done. I very much regret that in a situation like this people do not empathise with the people affected by such tragedy — the victims have wives and families in many cases. Whereas all of us entering into political life accept that in the context of the "slings and arrows of outrageous fortune" Shakespeare described we perhaps suffer at times from unfair criticism, we all try to protect our wives and families from this type of unfair criticism. I very much regret what happened over the weekend. It is unfortunate.
We know what is happening within the media. There seems to be extreme competition between the tabloids and broadsheets. If we are going down the road the media in England have gone down over many years, I seriously regret it. There are probably certain pressures applying now to establish a press council. My party would support the establishment of an independent press council.
Over the weekend it was not right for Mr. Flood, as the ex-chairman of the tribunal——
The Senator was going fine.
All right, I shall leave out that part. I abhor what happened over the weekend. It was extremely unfortunate, it was terribly wrong and no man deserved that type of publicity. We all know the defamation laws do not apply if a person dies but in this case a terrible injustice has been done to his family. I am appalled at what happened.
I agree with every word spoken by Senator Finucane. On my way home on Saturday night I called into a shop to get the Sunday newspapers. I thought I had seen everything in newspapers but I did not believe the headline when I saw it. I actually thought it was a magazine sending up the Sunday Independent. I just could not believe it. I looked at it, but did not buy it. I found it nauseating. My first thought was not whether it was true or otherwise, but how the family would be hit by it. My second thought was to wonder where standards of journalism had gone and my third was to do with the libel laws. The central character is dead and the other person is not a resident, so neither of them has any comeback. We need to look at this issue and give some teeth in this area.
There is only one way to deal with this matter and that is through punitive measures. There is no way any action will be taken by proprietors against newspapers making money, as long as they continue making money. The way to deal with this is the same as with the licensing laws. A publication found in contravention of the regulations should be closed down for a period or certain number of publications. It should be made feel the pain. This is the only threat that will work.
I agree with the point made by many, including the Taoiseach, that trying to find the lowest common denominator of standards in order to sell newspapers is a race to the bottom. I have seen other examples of this. Recently, I saw a photograph of my brother-in-law on the front page of a newspaper giving the fingers to his community. He swears he was never in such a pose but that the photograph was doctored. This goes on all the time and the only recourse people have is to take a case, which is expensive, time-consuming, takes place long after the event and allows every aspect of people's private lives to be raked over the coals for the entertainment of the nation. It is undemocratic and wrong that people's characters can be taken away in this manner. Senator Norris has said this many times and is proven right again on this issue.
As a Lucan-based representative I express my sympathy to Liam Lawlor's wife and his children on their sad loss. Mr. Lawlor was a very courteous and likeable person to me and other public representatives. I have often come across constituents on whose behalf he dealt with an issue and who found him very efficient. He had a reputation of being a hard worker in the constituency.
That said, following his death it is time for a substantial review and proper scrutiny of his political career, the good and the bad, because he was a major figure in politics over the past 30 years. As a local representative I crossed swords with him over the years or did not agree with decisions he took with regard to planning issues. It is important for the future of politics that we examine fully the background to those decisions.
The newspaper articles, particularly the one I saw first, disgusted me. I happened to be in Ballina on Sunday and saw the Sunday Independent, but similar stories were carried in other newspapers. The story reported distracted from what we need to do in terms of examining the political career of Liam Lawlor. I found the story offensive, even before we were made aware of the true facts, as did anyone I spoke to on the day. It was offensive, inappropriate and hurtful to the family and friends of Liam Lawlor. It was degrading to the dignity of those who died in the accident and to the survivor. I agree it hit a new low in terms of journalism standards in the country.
That type of story is not the norm in our media, which is one of the reasons the public was so outraged by it. We expect more from our newspapers. That said, this type of sensationalist journalism is becoming more of a feature of our media, something that needs to be addressed. I agree with calls for a press council. It is important that the Minister bring forward the legislation in this regard as soon as possible. The Minister is not seeking to bring forward legislation because of this story; it has been planned for some time. The Law Reform Commission produced a report on this issue many years ago. The Minister spoke about his plans in this House as recently as February 2005 but it is time for action. The Minister should publish the Bill now and engage in substantial consultation with all interested parties, including the media. The Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Equality, Defence and Women's Rights could be used as the vehicle for this consultation.
I join with others in extending my sympathy to Hazel Lawlor and the members of the Lawlor family on the untimely and tragic death of former Deputy, Liam Lawlor. Those of us who had battles with Mr. Lawlor in the past always found him to be very good company and a man of great humour who was very easy to relate to, irrespective of any other defects in his personality.
Some of the coverage of his death in the Sunday newspapers was outrageous. Senator Tuffy is correct in saying that the particular story in question should not have been published, irrespective of whether it was true. Any of us who had just lost a loved one would have enough to deal with without having to deal with the additional trauma caused by such a story. There was an enormous lapse in basic standards of journalism. I spent a considerable portion of my working life in journalism and one of its basic principles is that journalists check their stories. Excuses have now been made to the effect that the situation was confused and the coverage of the story was rushed. These are not acceptable excuses; they are unacceptable lapses from basic standards of good journalism.
It is slightly tiresome to hear journalists lecture politicians, clergy, doctors, lawyers and every other group in society on what their standards should be and how they should be accountable week after week when these same standards do not apply to journalists.
Senators
Hear, hear.
I cannot understand this double standard and it is time that these lapses were tackled. I welcome the statement by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform that he will introduce a statutory press council and look forward to the early resolution of this matter.
I do not disagree with the comments made by Senator O'Toole but there is something more that can be done.
It relates to circulation.
It all comes down to the circulation wars between newspapers and the desire to make money. I stopped buying the Sunday Independent at one point because of a particularly offensive article in it about people with disabilities but, unfortunately, I began buying it again. The best sanction that could be taken against a newspaper is to stop buying it.
Senators
Hear, hear.
I extend my sympathy to the family of the late Liam Lawlor. It is recognised that 95% of Irish journalists are honest and decent people who are very annoyed by some of the press coverage of Mr. Lawlor's death. It is unfortunate that we must establish an independent press council to deal with a few rotten apples. The majority of journalists I have spoken to were as appalled by the stories that appeared in a particular newspaper last weekend as we were.
I ask the Leader to invite the Minister for Education and Science to come to the House to debate the unfair discrimination that exists in the primary school sector. An example of this discrimination can been seen in the enrolment figures for gaelscoileanna as opposed to those for ordinary national schools. The achievement of the same pupil-teacher ratio in all schools should be a priority for the Government. Both these types of school do an equally good job of educating our future citizens and it is unfair that discrimination exists in this area. The Minister should explain to this House how we can uphold unequal arrangements in our schools in this era of equal opportunities. This issue needs to be addressed and, hopefully, the Minister can come to the House to explain what she intends to do in this regard.
I congratulate the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform on responding so quickly by stating that he would introduce the heads of a Bill regarding a press council following the shocking coverage of the last hours of the late Liam Lawlor on Saturday night. I bought the newspaper in question at the Fianna Fáil Ard-Fheis, got through the first few lines and then returned it and asked for a refund. I will never again buy this newspaper. As most people said, it was a shocking piece of journalism. One can only imagine the horror of Mr. Lawlor's young son receiving the news of his father's death and then hearing a story that he was cruising the red light district in Moscow with a teenage prostitute — a story without a scintilla of truth. It was horrific. It was not even bad journalism — it was really evil.
I am glad of one thing — they tried often to get him in real life, but he was too tough and he retaliated in his final days. He won the final battle with the media as well. I suggest to those who wrote the articles in question that they should go home and look at their own families this evening, and ask themselves whether they would write about them in the way they wrote about the Lawlor family. May God forgive them for the shocking and terrible cruelty they have visited upon a widow and her children.
When I first heard about the stories which were published following the death of Mr. Liam Lawlor, my thoughts were about how I would feel if my wife had to go through the same thing. My heart goes out to Mrs. Hazel Lawlor and the family of the late Mr. Lawlor. Not only have they lost a husband and father, they have had to deal with the publication of these outrageous stories. It is even worse than that, however, because I am not happy with what has been called an apology.
Neither am I.
The word "inaccuracy" was used twice in the supposed apology. Can one use the word "inaccuracy" to compare what really happened with what the newspapers in question blatantly proposed and shouted from the rooftops? I agree with Senator O'Toole, who spoke about the establishment of a statutory press council as a way of getting something done in this regard. Senator Dardis suggested something else we can do. It is not just a question of not buying certain newspapers. I recall that we were all upset about a story on the Paralympic Games some years ago. The reporter who wrote the story resigned within days of its publication. Advertisers threatened to withdraw their business from the newspaper in question if it did not dismiss the reporter. It seems to me that the power to damage circulation does not just rest with those who buy newspapers — it is also in the hands of advertisers. I did not read Sunday's edition of The Observer, which has not yet got around to making an apology, but I gather that it contained a report that was much worse than the stories in Irish newspapers. Not only it is in our hands as legislators to establish a statutory press council, but it is also in our hands as citizens and advertisers to ensure that action of the form I have mentioned is taken.
I was disappointed to hear that the Taoiseach has proposed that we will have military parades once again.
Hear, hear.
I regard myself as a Nationalist, a republican and a believer in Irish independence. However, I do not believe that has to correspond with militarism.
Hear, hear.
It reminds me of what we see in North Korea and what we used to see in the Soviet Union. I believe it is the wrong way to go. It will cost votes, rather than gain them. If it is intended as a vote-getting exercise, a rethink is needed.
I too would like to express my sympathy to the family of the late Mr. Liam Lawlor. I knew him better as a hurler and I had great regard for his abilities in that area. He was always very courteous and nice to me. I have an interest to declare as a director of Independent Newspapers. While today is not a very good day to be a director of Independent Newspapers in this House, Sunday was a worse day. I first heard the news of Mr. Lawlor's death on the BBC World Service to which, as an insomniac, I sometimes listen during the night. That service reported the story substantially as it was later carried by other media outlets. I remember saying at the time "My God, they did not have to drag that in, did they?". When I bought my Sunday newspaper, my blood ran cold.
I will not defend the indefensible. I will not disagree with what has been said by other Senators. A fairly full and unqualified apology has been published in today's Irish Independent. The matter is being taken very seriously. An internal inquiry into the publication of the story is ongoing. First, the story was factually wrong. Second, even if it had been factually right, it was wrong in its treatment in every other way.
That is right.
It was insensitive, intrusive, lacking in compassion and unfair. From all those perspectives, it was wrong. The editor, I presume, will answer for that in his next issue. However, the damage has been done. It is an enormous own goal, which we all recognise.
I have been working for some time with a group in the industry on the question of a statutory press council or a fully independent press council which would be recognised in statute and which would develop codes of ethics and codes of privacy to deal with this sort of issue. We would all welcome a press council. I can only join with other Members in deploring what I regard as a lapse in the standards of good journalism and journalistic ethics.
I never met the late Liam Lawlor but believe he was a very jovial person among his colleagues. I was shocked when I opened the Sunday Independent on Sunday last. As Senator Tuffy stated, even if the story was true, it was still inappropriate. Reference was made to circulation and what happened with regard to The Sun newspaper in Liverpool, when readers boycotted it. Independent Newspapers has changed Governments in this country through its editorials. Just as politicians have ethics, newspaper editors and journalists should also have ethics.
I am a newsagent and stock many newspaper titles. I ask what the readership of newspapers is doing in this regard. It seems we cannot get enough of this kind of journalism. We should ask ourselves whether we are prepared to boycott newspapers. Unfortunately, the newspapers feed readers what they want. It is time somebody called a halt. We can pontificate in this House but I have no doubt that readers will return to buying these newspapers. We should ask ourselves what we want in life.
Eight Members are offering but fewer than ten minutes remain on the Order of Business. While I realise Senators are anxious to elaborate, I ask that they be brief. No more Senators should offer apart from the eight to whom I referred.
It was with deep sadness that I learned of the tragic death of Liam Lawlor at the weekend. Liam Lawlor had strong contacts with my county of Laois. His late mother came from my village of Donaghmore and his father came from the village of Pike of Rushall, outside Borris-in-Ossory. His uncle Paddy and his first cousin still live in the area.
The people of my parish of Rathdowney in south County Laois and the people of County Laois in general are disgusted with the scandalous and scurrilous behaviour of the media over the weekend. If any Member of this House acted in the same way, he or she would have been chased out of office yesterday.
That is correct.
I call on the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform to bring legislation to the House to safeguard innocent people and their families. I offer my sympathies to Hazel and her family, Paddy and all the relatives of the Lawlor family. The Taoiseach stated yesterday that it is a race to the bottom. As far as I am concerned, we are at the bottom.
I agree with many speakers with regard to the treatment of the late Mr. Lawlor. What has happened is not that we have departed from standards but that we have met the standards of the worst British tabloids. We have been going in that direction for years and I have referred to it in the past. However, politicians were reluctant to take up this issue because they did not want to confront the press. I remember the lickspittling from politicians when a series of meetings with newspaper editors were held in the Oireachtas. Now, perhaps, we have learned our lesson and are prepared to be a little tougher. The Sunday Independent is a very mixed newspaper which contains some good articles. However, I always think of the character in The Pilgrim’s Progress, Mr. Facing-Both-Ways, who always tried to have it both ways. On the front page of Sunday’s edition of the newspaper, there was a rather sentimental, schmaltzy piece by Barry Egan in which he recounted how Liam Lawlor once loaned him an umbrella. In addition to keeping Mr. Egan dry, this act apparently covered a multitude of sins. At the end of the article Barry Egan wrote, “Perhaps those who savaged him when he was alive will be kinder to him now he’s dead”. This was just under the headline that misinformed people that Mr. Lawlor had been killed in a red light district in the company of a teenage prostitute. What about the rights of that woman, who I understand is 36 years of age? She has been traduced by this newspaper. Let us have a press council that some Members have been demanding for a long time. Let us have attitudes towards privacy expressed in law because people, irrespective of whether they are politicians, are entitled to be treated with decency in terms of their private lives.
Scandals give rise to much hypocrisy and discontent and strange people want to get in on the act. I heard one individual say that the newspapers should give €1 million to the Lawlor family. What rubbish. Liam Lawlor was not a saint and there is no reason to give anyone €1 million. There is, however, a need for decent attitudes.
Senator Quinn referred to the Easter Rising commemoration. I was appalled by the Taoiseach's remarks in Killarney on the resurrection of the military parade. This is treating the voters with contempt. It openly suggests going into competition with Sinn Féin. Now that it has got rid of its guns, Fianna Fáil will show it has bigger ones. This infantilism does no good. Let Fianna Fáil accentuate the positive aspects of its policy rather than running around attempting to mimic the bully boys of Sinn Féin. I remember 1966 and how unpleasant it was for people who were made to feel outside the box by the official republican——
I think the Senator has adequately made his point.
It is blasphemous to have the event on Easter Sunday, which is about the resurrection of Jesus Christ and not the insurrection of Padraig Pearse.
I call Senator Ó Murchú.
We should also remember how this will be perceived in Northern Ireland.
The Senator has been given enough latitude.
Protestants in Northern Ireland have been told they were Nazis by the President and Fr. Reid.
Senator Norris, please conclude. I call on Senator Ó Murchú.
Now there is this militarism. It is rubbish and the Taoiseach should at least move the event to Easter Monday.
What we have discussed most of this afternoon is an abuse of power at its most extreme. I cannot understand how any human being, with a modicum of sensibility, could deliberately inflict such hurt and torture on a vulnerable family. Is the media saying it has different standards from those it demands from people, particularly those in public life? If it claims it is not exercising different standards, the editor of the Sunday Independent must seriously consider his position. If he does not, the credibility of the media at large will be at stake. Any Minister who abused power to the extent the Sunday Independent has, would have his or her resignation demanded immediately.
On many occasions I have raised questions about the media. The NUJ once wrote to the Committee on Procedure and Privileges complaining about me. The letter, in turn, had to be circulated to every member. Unfortunately for the NUJ, it got it wrong and apologised. If the NUJ is so sensitive about comments made in the Chamber, which were never going to be published, how does it feel about the particular case we are discussing? If we do not have resignations, then all the apologies are empty.
In the past, the freedom of the press meant people had the freedom to read what was true. Nowadays, the freedom of the press appears to be about putting anything into circulation which will improve the figures for a newspaper's sales. I share the concerns about what was said of Liam Lawlor. However, an apology is owed to the young Ukrainian woman involved. This point has not been made. She has a professional life to pursue and I ask the Leader to let it be known that the Seanad considers the newpapers to be remiss in not making an apology to her as well.
I echo the messages of sympathy to the Lawlor family. Liam Lawlor was active in politics for 20 years, although not as an office holder. He did many good things and performed valuable services notwithstanding what is under discussion in the tribunals. I will refrain from commenting directly on what was written in the Sunday Independent last week but proprietors and boards of management have a general responsibility for what appears in their newspapers. It is right for journalists and newspapers to point out and highlight abuses of power when they occur on the part of governments or politicians but we cannot be afraid of them, no matter how rich or powerful, if they abuse their considerable power. To borrow a phrase, I suggest there should be no more appeasement.
I extend my sympathy to Hazel and members of Liam Lawlor's family. I knew Liam for many years, having served with him on the old Dublin County Council. What happened last Sunday was hurtful and it made me cry to think of the effect on his family. The media have reached an all-time low and have debased the profession of journalism. They have destroyed good people. In the past they have destroyed many politicians and people in high places. This time somebody in the media must be destroyed, in terms of accountability, for what they did last Sunday. Words do not mean anything in this case as the hurt is too deep. If the journalists' main objective was to sell papers they have cost their profession the respect of the whole nation.
There is a saying that the pen is mightier than the sword. In this case the pen was used as a sword and thrust into the open wound of the grief and tragedy of the Lawlor family. It is journalism of the sewer. When I came into this Chamber in 1997 the former Senator Willie Farrell repeatedly called for a press council. Some weeks ago Senator Mansergh and I talked about a story in a sister newspaper about councillors and their quest for a pension. A journalist submitted a piece to the Irish Independent balancing the points made in the original article. Was it published? No. If the truth gets in the way of a story the story wins every time.
I associate myself with the expressions of sympathy with the wife and family of Liam Lawlor. I knew Liam for quite some time. I met him on the hurling field where I hurled against him. I always counted him a hard but fair man whether it was in politics or on the hurling field. One wonders what lies ahead for the reporter involved. The editor comes from a family in my own county with a long tradition in journalism. I have always seen that family as being honest and decent in the field of journalism. Senator Phelan mentioned "a race to the bottom" and journalism has sunk to the bottom in this instance. I hope that, assuming that rules exist within the NUJ, someone will be suspended from that newspaper. If this does not happen, the union should disband immediately. It is a sad day for journalism.
The acting leader of the Opposition, Senator Finucane, paid tribute to Liam Lawlor, as he knew him over the years. He mentioned in particular his experience of Mr.Lawlor's personality and humour. The Senator stated that last weekend was a bad weekend for certain sections of the media but that RTE exhibited maturity in not entering the arena of scandal mongering. Even prior to this incident, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy McDowell, had promised legislation on the establishment of a press council. He will hasten this legislation now, and I call on the Minister to bring it to this House first, as he is wont to do with many Bills.
Senator O'Toole agreed with Senator Finucane and argued that the newspaper in question could be taken off the market as punishment. We could just stop buying it. We are a small number of people, but if people have strong feelings on the issue, such a boycott should occur. I agree with Senator Tuffy's statements on the news story, and even if every word of the horrible report in question was true, it should never have been printed.
Yes.
The Senator should be commended on such a clear statement. The man was dead only a short time and printing such an article was an awful action. We expect more from newspapers. While we are criticising newspapers, one newspaper that we have often commented upon, Ireland on Sunday, had the correct story.
That newspaper is not in a position to teach anybody any standards.
The Leader without interruption.
I am just stating what occurred on Sunday. The newspaper's report was absolutely accurate, down to describing the occupation of the woman in question as a legal secretary and her age. The report came from a Daily Mail correspondent in Moscow. The statement that the Lawlor family could not be contacted was untrue. The Taoiseach easily made direct contact with the widow of Mr. Lawlor. These newspapers did not try as they wanted a salacious story to be published.
Senators
Hear, hear.
Just as Ireland on Sunday usually does. It is the first time it has got anything correct.
The Leader without interruption.
I am entitled to state what I read, and we have already heard from Senator Norris. Senator Tuffy finished by stating the need for appropriate legislation as soon as possible. Senator Dardis expressed his sympathy to the Lawlor family. I could assume this sympathy from all Senators, but those who spoke made points in varying degrees of intensity and I wish to acknowledge this. Senator Dardis stated that the newspaper reports were a lapse in the basic standards of good journalism.
Senator Bannon argued that 95% of journalists are decent people, and there is no doubt about this. He stated that the Minister for Education and Science, Deputy Hanafin, should rectify an inequality in the pupil-teacher ratio in gaelscoileanna compared to the pupil-teacher ratios in ordinary primary schools. Senator Lydon labelled the reports in the Sunday newspapers as shocking and evil pieces of journalism. He pointed out how anybody's family would feel if such a report was published. I do not know how Mr. Lawlor's widow coped with the incident and the reports, and I am sure she is under medical care. Can one imagine how she reacted on seeing a large headline in black print with three sub-headings underneath, each a massive lie?
Senator Quinn mentioned the family experiencing loss followed by outrage. I agree with his statements on the apologies, which contained statements on inaccuracies when the entire report was a flagrant abuse. Last night, a female editor of another newspaper which had followed the lead appeared on "Questions and Answers". She was quite complacent and content with her apology. I could not believe it.
Senator Quinn was disappointed at the idea of a military parade. While he claimed it was for electoral gain, that is not correct. Our Army is for peacekeeping.
Hear, hear.
Our Army is not for war. The Constitution refers to Óglaigh na hÉireann, which is the properly constituted Army of the Republic of Ireland. It is incorrect to suggest that the Taoiseach would make this proposal for the sake of votes or that it would display military might as though it was ready to go off to fight. We have a peacekeeping Army. I am disappointed that the Senator took that view. The Taoiseach meant that it is a special event and I am sure it will be welcomed by everyone, but we must wait to see.
Senator Maurice Hayes expressed his sympathy with the Lawlor family. He suggested that Members should work on the idea of an independent press council and that the legislation should be brought before the Seanad. Senator Kieran Phelan's reference to Liam Lawlor's County Laois connection was interesting and I thank him for mentioning it.
Senator Feighan, who, among other things is a newsagent, was shocked last Sunday, as were all Members. He asked whether Members were prepared to boycott particular newspapers. I do not believe that could be the case if all Members express shock and outrage in the House but then purchase them the following week.
Senator Norris noted how the standards of the British tabloid newspapers have been reached and suggested that a press council be established. I hope so. He stated that he was outraged by the resurrection of the military parade. I speak for the Taoiseach and my party in this House and I am proud that this step will be taken. I am proud of Óglaigh na hÉireann, which is the constitutionally established Army of the Republic of Ireland.
This action shows gross insensitivity to other sections of the population of which we should be aware.
Every democracy——
The Leader should be permitted to reply without interruption.
I sit mute, listen to all Members and take my notes. I am entitled to reply.
Senators
Hear, hear.
I will reply on this issue. I am extremely disturbed that both Senators Norris and Quinn have taken the view that it will be a militaristic parade. It is a commemorative parade for people who died to establish this State.
It is a vote catching exercise and nothing else, as both Senator O'Rourke and the Taoiseach are aware.
Senator Norris should allow the Leader to reply without interruption.
I have summarised SenatorNorris's contribution.
Senator Ó Murchú called for the resignation of the editor of The Sunday Independent. Senator Henry, along with all Members, had concerns for the woman in question who was earning her living as a professional woman and rearing her family. She has been called names. While Members do not know this young Ukrainian woman, we know enough to be sure she was about her proper professional duties. She has not received any apologies, such as they are. Senator Mansergh noted that directors, boards of management and owners of newspapers have responsibilities, no matter how powerful they appear to be. He stated that they should be aware of how Members feel about these matters. I agree with him.
While Senator Maurice Hayes quite correctly declared his interest as a director of Independent Newspapers, he disassociated himself from what has happened and offered his sympathy to the Lawlor family. I agree with him. Senator Mansergh made the point that there should be no more appeasement of journalists and newspapers. He is correct. He noted that the profession of journalism had been debased and the respect of the nation lost.
Senator Glynn called what happened sewer journalism. He noted that a balancing article on councillors written by a journalist had been submitted but not printed. Senator Moylan spoke of his knowledge of and familiarity with the late Liam Lawlor on the hurling pitch. It was important that it was noted. Senator Ormonde expressed sympathy to the Lawlor family. She had served with Liam Lawlor as a member of the old Dublin County Council.
There will be time in a week or so to debate the tribunal and examine related matters but it is an affront to Liam Lawlor's widow and children to be faced by this reporting. His widow faces a long, hard, empty and arid road but to face it with those headlines constantly in her mind will be an abhorrence. I thank the Members of this House from all sides who spoke so feelingly and memorably on this issue and the Cathaoirleach for allowing such a debate.
Senators
Hear, hear.