Vol. 566 No. 2
38 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the reason the recommendation of the Commission on the Newspaper Industry, made seven years ago, that an independent ombudsman be appointed to investigate breaches of press standards, has not been implemented; and the steps she has taken to ensure or encourage implementation. [12238/03]
The report of the Commission on the Newspaper Industry was published in June 1996. It recommended, inter alia, that an independent ombudsman to investigate complaints of breaches of press standards be established.
The newspaper industry has always linked its acceptance of this recommendation to changes in the law on defamation.
In December 2001 the Government approved a general scheme of a Defamation Bill. Arising out of the current programme for Government my colleague, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform in September 2002 established a legal advisory group on defamation to assess the legal changes which may be required if Ireland's defamation laws are brought into line with those prevailing in other states. This initiative was designed to give effect to the commitment given in An Agreed Programme for Government. It indicated that the Government would, in the context of a statutory press council and improved privacy laws, move to implement reforms of libel laws designed to bring them into line with those of other states.
The advisory group's work has proceeded in parallel with work on the December 2001 scheme. The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform received its report at the end of March. These developments will lead to the establishment of a suitable mechanism for investigating complaints of breaches of press standards.
Question No. 39 answered with Question No. 8.
