Ireland’s new defamation law ‘falls short of EU SLAPP directive’

RTÉ, NUJ, and ICCL are among groups saying the Defamation (Amendment) Bill 2024 is a 'missed opportunity to protect the freedom of expression'

The anti-SLAPP provisions in the bill apply only to defamation proceedings and do not extend to privacy, copyright, or data protection cases. Picture: iStock

Ireland’s new defamation laws risk incurring EU legal action, the Government has been warned.

The Dáil last week passed the long-awaited Defamation Bill, with the Seanad passing it at second stage last Wednesday.