Press release from the independent Senator
Sen. Sean D. Barrett
Independent, University of Dublin (Trinity College) Constituency, Seanad Éireann
I note today the ongoing controversy over statements made in Dáil Éireann by Deputy Catherine Murphy on the 28th of May 2015. While I make no comment on the statements of Deputy Catherine Murphy I will state that the current approach taken to reporting, even verbatim and without any form of commentary her statements in the Dáil is a matter for deep concern. Under Article 15, sections 12 and 13 of Bunreacht na hÉireann the utterances and the reproduction of those utterances are protected by parliamentary privilege. The actual text is below:
I call on the Attorney General to clarify the present interpretation of the above sections with respect to the statements made by Deputy Catherine Murphy on the 28th of May 2015. I would further recommend that the various media organizations and outlets governed by the legal principles outlined in Bunreacht na hÉireann not shirk their responsibility to maintain an informed citizenry, the cornerstone of any mature and functional democracy.
My blogpost
http://photopol.blogspot.ie/2015/05/what-constitution.html