Vol. 566 No. 1
659 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when he received the report of the expert committee on the reform of the laws of defamation, which was to report in December 2002; the reason the committee did not seek submissions from interested parties; and if and when the report will be published. [12048/03]
The legal advisory group on defamation, as its title suggests, was established to focus on technical issues of a legal nature and to assess the legal changes which may be required if Ireland's defamation laws are to be brought into line with those prevailing in other states. The group was satisfied that, in order to fulfil this remit, it was not necessary to actively embark upon a broad consultation process. I received the report of the group at the end of March and I anticipate that the report will be brought before Government, for consideration and discussion, prior to any decision being taken on its publication.
