The Joint Committee on Justice to resume Pre-legislative Scrutiny of the General Scheme of the Defamation (Amendment) Bill

The Committee will hear from representatives from:

• NewsBrands and Local Ireland;
• National Union of Journalists;
• Ireland Anti-SLAPPs Network;
• Dr Mark Hanna;

Speaking ahead of the meeting, Committee Cathaoirleach Deputy James Lawless TD said “The Committee will resume our Pre-Legislative Scrutiny of General Scheme of the Defamation Bill at tomorrow’s meeting. This important legislation includes important proposed reforms of Ireland’s defamation laws and is a step closer to a new defamation act.

Earlier this year the Minister for Justice received cabinet approval for priority drafting of the General Scheme of Defamation (Amendment) Bill and referral to our Committee for pre-legislative scrutiny and is widely seen as a milestone in reforming defamation laws in Ireland.

Our Committee will continue to get important insights from the stakeholders attending tomorrow in order to ensure that the Bill meets the needs of modern Irish society.”

The meeting can be viewed live on Oireachtas TV.

Read more on the work done by the Justice Committee

Committee proceedings can also be viewed on the Houses of the Oireachtas Smartphone App, available for Apple and Android devices.