Rabbitte says no need for tougher media regulation

Communications Minister Pat Rabbitte has slapped down a bid by his Cabinet colleague Alan Shatter to introduce tougher privacy laws for the media.

Mr Rabbitte said he saw “no reason to amend” the current Press Council system of regulation, which he said was working well.

And, contradicting the justice minister’s recent claims of cross-coalition support, he said he did not agree with Mr Shatter’s proposed law. “I don’t see any circumstances that warrant a new privacy bill. I do not think it is the way to go.”