Defamation (Amendment) Bill 2024: Committee Stage (Resumed)
Seanad Éireann — 2025-11-12
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Jim O'Callaghan (FF), Dublin Bay South

The amendments the Senator is putting forward are amendments she is proposing in respect of section 19, which will insert a new section 34A into the Defamation Act 2009. As we generally refer to it, this provision I am putting into the new defamation Act will have the effect of giving effect to the SLAPP provision contained within European Directive No. 1069 of 2024. This is the defamation Bill and further requirements are imposed by that directive on me, aside from defamation proceedings. In this defamation Bill, I am only transposing into Irish law that directive as it relates to defamation proceedings. However, I assure Senators that work is ongoing in my Department in respect of the other elements of that directive, which cover non-defamation type proceedings.
As I said, the amendments in this group relate to protections for those subject to SLAPPs, or strategic lawsuits against public participation, as they are referred to. I welcome the engagement from Senators on these provisions. I am happy they share my objectives to ensure that Part 4A of the new Act provides better protection for those who are targeted by SLAPPs but also ensures fair procedures for defamation plaintiffs who are genuinely seeking to protect their good name. We also need to recognise that, in many instances, what one person regards as a SLAPP, another individual or entity may regard as a legitimate defamation claim.
I know some concerns have been expressed in relation to the anti-SLAPP provisions. I hope to address those concerns about when it is transposed today, although it is more likely to be the next day as we are going to adjourn relatively soon. I will clarify that while this Bill transposes some of the requirements of the directive, it does not deal with the directive in its entirety, as I said, because there are other non-defamation proceedings that will be transposed in subsequent legislation.
Does the Acting Chair want me to stop?

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/seanad/2025-11-12/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:54:18+00:00
Sitting date: 2025-11-12