Defamation Bill due before Dáil by Easter

THE long-awaited bill to reform the country’s controversial libel laws will be published by the Government between now and Easter.

The Defamation Bill was one of 17 pieces of new legislation included in the Government’s legislative programme for the spring session of the Oireachtas.

The bill will radically change the law in relation to libel, which has been criticised as punitive and restrictive by the media, while the legislation also provides for the setting up of a press council.

Several other major pieces of legislation are due to be published in the coming months. They include the National Infrastructure Bill (which allows the fast-tracking of major infrastructure projects).

The Government also hopes to bring forward two Bills to provide for State repayment of illegal nursing home charges.

However, it is likely that many of the other 60 bills in the pipeline may not be enacted before the Government’s term ends in mid-2007.

This may affect a programme for government commitment to allow the DPP appeal unduly lenient sentences from the District Court.

A number of the bills earmarked for publication during this session have carried over from last autumn including legislation to allow the development of Abbotstown Sports Campus; a bill to expand the role of the energy regulator; and the Hepatitis C and HIV Compensation Tribunal (Amendment) Bill.