McDowell to present fellow ministers with fresh privacy laws

JUSTICE Minister Michael McDowell will present fresh proposals for legislation protecting privacy to Cabinet colleagues tomorrow in an effort to smooth the passage of his libel law reforms.

As many as five Fianna Fáil ministers last week told Mr McDowell they would not support his proposed Defamation Bill unless it included legislation to protect the privacy of individuals from press intrusions.

Mr McDowell promised to reform defamation legislation when he was elected to office in 2002. The proposed bill includes stronger guarantees of press freedom but also provides for the setting up of a press council, which will be set up but not operated on a statutory basis.