A statutory press council could comprise a proportionate selection of public representatives "to ensure the Government of the day could not swamp the council with its sympathisers", the Minister for Justice, Mr McDowell, suggested today.
Addressing a conference to consider the Report of the Legal Advisory Group on Defamation, Mr McDowell said he could envisage a press council chaired by a judge and composed of nominees reflecting the interests of journalists, media owners and the public.
He told delegates at University College Dublin this morning that when the Government proposed a statutory press council in its Programme for Government, it "did not attempt to define in advance the nature or composition of such a body".
Earlier this year, the Legal Advisory Group recommended that a press council should have a statutory foundation. This council would also prepare a code of conduct for the press and investigate alleged breaches.
The advisory group was chaired by Mr Hugh Mohan SC, who will also address today's conference. Included in the group's recommendations was a proposal that the media be able to defend libel claims if they could prove publication was in the public interest.
However, the plan for a statutory press council has drawn criticism from industry groups, with the National Newspapers of Ireland (NNI) describing it as unacceptable.
The NNI is seeking an independent press ombudsman and press council with statutory privilege for both offices. The organisation is opposed to the Government appointing members to a press council and is seeking regulatory bodies independent of the Government.
Mr Frank Cullen, co-ordinating director of the NNI, will address the conference later today as will Mr Séamus Dooley, of the National Union of Journalists, and Independent News and Media director Senator Maurice Hayes.
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