Defamation reform on the way, says justice minister
The review of the is a legislative priority and the report on the matter will be brought to Government very shortly, justice minister Helen McEntee has confirmed.
The minister was responding to a D谩il question from Green TD Patrick Costello (19 January).
The Programme for Government contains a specific commitment to 鈥渞eview and reform defamation laws to ensure a balanced approach to the right to freedom of expression, the right to protection of good name and reputation, and the right of access to justice鈥.
Balance
The minister said that the objective for the review of the defamation laws was the correct balance between constitutional and ECHR rights 鈥 the individual鈥檚 right to their good name and privacy, and the right to freedom of expression, taking account of the vital democratic role played by a free and independent press.
The review included public consultation and a stakeholder symposium in November 2019.
A to advance reforms following the review is included in the Government鈥檚 current legislation programme.
鈥淚t is a priority for the Government to get the reform of defamation law right, and to bring forward the required legislation at the earliest opportunity,鈥 the minister told the D谩il.
鈥淚 expect preparation of the General Scheme of the Defamation (Amendment) Bill to begin early this year,鈥 she added.