Journalists accuse Flanagan of ‘contempt’ for Murray report

The National Union of Journalists (NUJ) has accused Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan of adopting a “contemptuous attitude” towards the work of former Chief Justice John Murray.

Mr Flanagan refused to accept an amendment to the Communications (Retention of Data) Bill in the Seanad which would have given effect to Mr Justice Murray’s recommendations on the protection of journalistic sources of confidential information.

Séamus Dooley, the NUJ’s Irish Secretary, said: “Given the comprehensive nature of Mr Justice Murray’s report and the recommendations of the Joint Committee Mr Flanagan’s attitude is extraordinary. He has treated the findings with contempt and claims that the issue of source protection is not relevant to the Bill.

“Having commissioned a former Chief Justice to conduct such a review it seems extraordinary that his recommendations have been set aside in this fashion. As a former Attorney General and retired Chief Justice Mr Murray has provided the Government with a report which should be acted upon as a matter of urgency.

“Mr Flanagan should act on this report. Failure to do so could lead to suggestions that the review ordered by his predecessor was a matter of political expediency when issues relating to GSOC access of records had become a matter of public controversy.

“There is an onus on the Government to implement the report and if it is not going to be done as part of the current legislation the minister needs to confirm his intentions in relation to implementing the recommendations.”