Defamation (Amendment) Bill 2024

Plain-English summary AI · claude-haiku-4-5-20251001

• Defamation cases in the High Court will no longer be decided by juries; judges will decide cases alone.
• Implements EU rules protecting people engaged in public participation from frivolous or abusive defamation lawsuits.
• Amends the 2009 Defamation Act to incorporate these protections and procedural changes into Irish law.

Stage timeline

1. First Stage 33rd Dáil

   2 Aug 2024
2. Second Stage 33rd Dáil

   19 Sep 2024
3. Committee Stage 34th Dáil

   29 Apr 2025
4. Report Stage 34th Dáil

   30 Apr 2025
5. Fifth Stage 34th Dáil

   2 Jul 2025
6. Second Stage 27th Seanad

   2 Jul 2025
7. Committee Stage 27th Seanad

   9 Jul 2025
8. Report Stage 27th Seanad

   21 Jan 2026
9. Fifth Stage 27th Seanad

   21 Jan 2026
10. Cream List 34th Dáil

    11 Feb 2026
11. Enacted

    19 Feb 2026