Minister for Justice Michael McDowell has promised legislation to set up an independent press complaints council by Christmas, write Paul Cullen and Liam Reid
Mr McDowell said the inaccurate coverage of Liam Lawlor's death at the weekend showed an independent press complaints process was badly needed.
The heads of a Bill reforming the libel laws and providing for the establishment of an independent press complaints council and ombudsman would be published within two months, he said. The move came after Sunday newspapers wrongly claimed that Mr Lawlor was with a prostitute when he died.
The Taoiseach led criticism of the reports, suggesting that there had been a "race to the bottom" in journalistic standards in Ireland. He said the coverage in some Sunday newspapers had added "horror upon horror" to the suffering of the Lawlor family.
Editor of the Sunday Independent Aengus Fanning apologised unreservedly for the story, which was taken up by several other Sunday newspapers. Mr Fanning, who was on duty on Saturday, said he took full responsibility for the publication of the claims that a woman passenger in the car in which Mr Lawlor died was "likely to be a prostitute". In fact, the woman, Julia Kushnir, was a legal secretary who was providing a translation service for Mr Lawlor.
While the Lawlor family was last night considering an offer by the newspaper management to meet them, his sister-in-law, Aileen Gilsen, described the apology as "too little, too late". Irish diplomats are working with Mr Lawlor's son, Niall, to ensure his father's remains are returned to Ireland as soon as possible. His funeral is expected to take place in Lucan at the end of the week. Mr McDowell acknowledged that there could still be some challenges in getting his legislation passed, but he said it was the only way of providing protection to families of deceased people, who cannot sue for libel.
Meanwhile, the newspaper representative body, the National Newspapers of Ireland (NNI) issued a statement last night saying a formal announcement would be made in the coming weeks with a view to establishing "an independent press complaints mechanism" as soon as possible.
The statement said the press industry steering committee had agreed a model comprising "an independent office of press ombudsman and press council who will consider breaches of an agreed code". It said the model document and code had been submitted to Mr McDowell.
The NNI statement was issued last night without any prior consultation or agreement with The Irish Times.