THE audience on RTE's Questions and Answers last voted three to one in favour of politicians not suing the media.
Mr Des O'Malley TD, the former leader of the Progressive Democrats, said that after 29 years in politics he had not sued, although he had often been tempted to do so. However, he did not think it was appropriate for politicians to sue. Politicians had privilege in the Dail and the Seanad to express their views.
He said there were some politicians whom he had no doubt had been "widely defamed", including the former Taoiseach, Mr Charles Haughey, and it was to his credit that he had never taken any legal action. His successor, Mr Albert Reynolds, was different. As far as he was aware, Mr Reynolds had had five successful libel actions so far.
However, Mr O'Malley felt it was important that the press have a reasonably free hand to examine public policy.
The Minister for Defence and the Marine, Mr Barrett, said he had not sued so far and he would be slow to do so. If untrue allegations were made which affected the politician and his family and his only address was to go to court, then that should be done. It was important to let papers know you were not satisfied with what they were saying. Usually the papers agreed to make an apology. He retained the right to sue if necessary.
Senator David Norris said that politicians, like everyone else, had the right to sue, but there would have to be evidence of malice. He had once gone to a solicitor about an allegation made about him. Generally, though, he felt politicians were in the public eye and "put their head on the block" and it was right that the media should comment on them.