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Defamation Act 2009 (No. 31)Introductory TextActs Referred toPart 1 Preliminary and General (ss. 1-5)1. Short title and commencement.2. Definitions.3. Saver.4. Repeal.5. Review of operation of Act.Part 2 Defamation (ss. 6-14)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 (ss. 15-27 and draft 27A)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.Draft 27A. Live broadcast defencePart 4 Remedies (ss. 28-34)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.Draft Part 4A Additional Provisions Regarding Defamation Proceedings Relating to Engagement in Public Participation (ss. 34A-34H)Draft 34A. Definitions (Part 4A)Draft 34B. Defamation proceedings to which Part appliesDraft 34C. Information to be given to courtDraft 34D. Security for costsDraft 34E. Application to strike out claim and appealDraft 34F. Application for declaration where application to strike out claimDraft 34G. Application for declaration before, during or at conclusion of trial of action and costsDraft 34H. Publication of certain Circuit Court orders and judgmentsDraft Part 4B Alternative Dispute Resolution (ss. 34I-34L)Draft 34I. Definitions (Part 4B)Draft 34J. Practising solicitor and alternatives to issuing of certain proceedingsDraft 34K. Court inviting parties to consider alternatives to certain proceedingsDraft 34L. Factors to be considered by court in awarding costsPart 5 Criminal Liability (ss. 35-37)35. Abolition of certain common law offences.36. Publication or utterance of blasphemous matter.37. Seizure of copies of blasphemous statements.Part 6 Miscellaneous (ss. 38-44)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 PrivilegeSchedule 1, Part 1 Statements Privileged Without Explanation or ContradictionSchedule 1, Part 2 Statements Privileged Subject to Explanation or ContradictionSchedule 2 Minimum Requirements in Relation to Press Council
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Version status: | Document consolidation status: Updated to reflect all known changes
Version date: 23 July 2009 - onwards

Introductory Text

Number 31 of 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:

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