23/01/2019 | 18:06:47 The report was adopted unanimously and enthusiastically by the committee. I draw the Assembly’s attention particularly to draft recommendations 2, 3 and 4, the first of which states: “Internet governance should continue to be given high priority”. Recommendation 3 goes on to say that, “additional efforts should be made to promote enhanced internet governance and help Council of Europe Member States to act together to take up the challenges”. Recommendation 4 states: “At European level, the... 23/01/2019 | 16:48:50 Joe, it is a great pleasure to see you in the chair today. I am tempted to tell you that a friend of mine thought that the Irish backstop was the full-back in the Irish rugby football team, but I think I had better answer this excellent debate, which has had a huge number of participants. Everyone here who wanted to speak has been able to speak, and I can deal with only some of the highlights. I was impressed by the fact that in their referendum the wise Swiss people voted overwhelmingly in... 23/01/2019 | 10:03:35 I start by paying a warm tribute to the rapporteur on the topic, Ms Gülsün BİLGEHAN, who is sadly no longer a member of the Assembly. During her years in the Assembly, she did a tremendous job promoting the core values of the Organisation. The report on “Media freedom as a condition for democratic elections” is further proof of her excellent work and of her commitment to upholding the principles and standards of the Council of Europe. It is a great honour for me to be asked to present the... 22/01/2019 | 10:51:38 I too greatly welcome the report, having proposed the original motion on which it is based. I also congratulate Dame Cheryl GILLAN and her advisers on producing an excellent report. I fervently hope that the Venice Commission will adopt these recommendations. I was going to quote Clement Attlee, as Richard Balfe has done, and say that the referendum is a device for dictators and despots. In fact, that was also repeated by Margaret Thatcher in 1975. I like to quote Clement Attlee, but I am not...