The Communications Minister says he's considering watering down broadcasting laws so that broadcasters are only barred from causing 'undue' offence.
The Dáil's been debating the so-called "Panti payout", which was made to a number of people offended by remarks made on TV during a discussion on homophobia.
RTE has confirmed the payments involved were €40,000 to a journalist and €45,000 to members of the Institute.
The national broadcaster has also revealed it had been facing six separate legal actions and made the decision to settle after legal advice.
The action followed a comment made by Rory O'Neill during a discussion on homophobia shown on The Saturday Night Show last month.
Pat Rabbitte has criticised people who engage in public debate, and threaten legal action when they feel offended.
Pat Rabbitte says "if you are a public person, in the sense of being a columnist, the notion that you're such a fragile creature that you have to reach for the defamation laws to vindicate your point of view is wrong".
