Settlement offer is still sought

THE Minister for Social Welfare is "determined" that his libel action will go for a third hearing if the Sunday Independent does not settle the matter to his satisfaction beforehand.

A spokesman for Mr De Rossa was outlining his intentions following the jury's failure to reach a verdict on his case against the newspaper in the High Court on Thursday.

Asked how the case could be settled now to Mr De Rossa's "satisfaction", the spokesman responded: "By making a satisfactory offer."

When the action was initiated in December 1992, Mr De Rossa had sought an apology a retraction and a donation to charity from the Independent group.

The indications yesterday, "however, were that these original demands would not satisfy Mr De Rossa.

Meanwhile, it is not expected that a new trial will clash with the date of the general election, now widely tipped for May or early June.