| |
|
| | |
| |
Number 31 of 2009
|
| | |
| |
DEFAMATION ACT 2009
|
| | |
| |
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
|
| |
PART 1
|
| |
Preliminary and General
|
| |
Section
|
| |
1. Short title and commencement.
|
| |
2. Definitions.
|
| |
3. Saver.
|
| |
4. Repeal.
|
| |
5. Review of operation of Act.
|
| |
PART 2
|
| |
Defamation
|
| |
6. Defamation.
|
| |
7. Amendment of certain enactments.
|
| |
8. Verifying affidavit.
|
| |
9. Imputation.
|
| |
10. Defamation of class of persons.
|
| |
11. Multiple publication.
|
| |
12. Defamation of a body corporate.
|
| |
13. Appeals in defamation actions.
|
| |
14. Meaning.
|
| |
PART 3
|
| |
Defences
|
| |
15. Abolition of certain defences.
|
| |
16. Truth.
|
| |
17. Absolute privilege.
|
| |
18. Qualified privilege.
|
| |
19. Loss of defence of qualified privilege.
|
| |
20. Honest opinion.
|
| |
21. Distinguishing between allegations of fact and opinion.
|
| |
22. Offer to make amends.
|
| |
23. Effect of offer to make amends.
|
| |
24. Apology.
|
| |
25. Consent to publish.
|
| |
26. Fair and reasonable publication on a matter of public interest.
|
| |
27. Innocent publication.
|
| |
PART 4
|
| |
Remedies
|
| |
28. Declaratory order.
|
| |
29. Lodgment of money in settlement of action.
|
| |
30. Correction order.
|
| |
31. Damages.
|
| |
32. Aggravated and punitive damages.
|
| |
33. Order prohibiting the publication of a defamatory statement.
|
| |
34. Summary disposal of action.
|
| |
PART 5
|
| |
Criminal Liability
|
| |
35. Abolition of certain common law offences.
|
| |
36. Publication or utterance of blasphemous matter.
|
| |
37. Seizure of copies of blasphemous statements.
|
| |
PART 6
|
| |
Miscellaneous
|
| |
38. Limitation of actions.
|
| |
39. Survival of cause of action on death.
|
| |
40. Agreements for indemnity.
|
| |
41. Jurisdiction of courts.
|
| |
42. Malicious falsehood.
|
| |
43. Evidence of acquittal or conviction.
|
| |
44. Press Council.
|
| |
SCHEDULE 1
|
| |
Statements having Qualified Privilege
|
| |
PART 1
|
| |
Statements Privileged Without Explanation or Contradiction
|
| |
PART 2
|
| |
Statements Privileged Subject to Explanation or Contradiction
|
| |
SCHEDULE 2
|
| |
Minimum Requirements in Relation to Press Council
|
| | |
| |
Acts Referred to
|
| |
Civil Liability Act 1961
|
1961, No. 41
|
Civil Liability and Courts Act 2004
|
2004, No. 31
|
Commissions of Investigation Act 2004
|
2004, No. 23
|
Committees of the Houses of the Oireachtas (Compellability, Privileges and Immunities of Witnesses) Act 1997
|
1997, No. 17
|
Committees of the Houses of the Oireachtas (Privilege and Procedure) Act 1976
|
1976, No. 10
|
Courts (Supplemental Provisions) Act 1961
|
1961, No. 39
|
Courts Act 1991
|
1991, No. 20
|
Courts of Justice Act 1924
|
1924, No. 10
|
Defamation Act 1961
|
1961, No. 40
|
European Communities Act 1972
|
1972, No. 27
|
Irish Takeover Panel Act 1997
|
1997, No. 5
|
Statute of Limitations 1957
|
1957, No. 6
|
Tribunals of Inquiry (Evidence) Acts 1921 to 2004
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Number 31 of 2009
|
| | |
| |
DEFAMATION ACT 2009
|
| | |
| |
AN ACT TO REVISE IN PART THE LAW OF DEFAMATION; TO REPEAL THE DEFAMATION ACT 1961; AND TO PROVIDE FOR MATTERS CONNECTED THEREWITH.
|
| |
[23rd July, 2009]
|
| |
BE IT ENACTED BY THE OIREACHTAS AS FOLLOWS:
|