Communications Minister Rabbitte rejects Fine Gael bid for privacy laws

Communications Minister Pat Rabbitte has dashed Fine Gael hopes of bringing in a privacy law.

Mr Rabbitte backed the current system of press regulation after Alan Shatter, the justice minister, suggested extra legal restraints on the media were needed.

Referring to the Press Council system governing newspapers, Mr Rabbitte said: “If it is working and not broken, why try to fix it?”

The remarks were in direct contrast to Mr Shatter’s view, backed by ministers Leo Varadkar and Richard Bruton, that a privacy law is desirable.

Mr Rabbitte insisted the system of self-regulation was an international model.

“The operation of a free, independent and responsible media is a key component of our democracy,” he said.

“It is difficult to marry intervention and freedom. I do not have plans to introduce a privacy law. There is a widespread view in the house on occasion that such a bill ought to be brought before the house.”

He said he agreed with Mr Shatter “that some commentary in the media does not appear to be able to distinguish between privacy and prurience, but I do not believe the answer is a legislative measure on privacy. That would be an unwarranted interference”.

He was responding to inquiries by Independent TD Shane Ross, who backed his stance.

Mr Rabbitte said the Irish system had been viewed favourably by the Leveson Inquiry in Britain.

“The Press Council of Ireland has worked well,” he said. “One can say it has not yet had a severe enough test, but insofar as I can observe, it has done a good job.”

Meanwhile, Mr Rabbitte confirmed he would receive the report on how to impose a broadcasting charge to replace the TV licence by the end of next month.

Households will have to pay the charge whether they have a television or not. The charge is being brought in due to the increasing use of gadgets such as smartphones to access TV content.