Results 21-40 of 1,072,213 for in 'Dáil debates' OR in 'Committee meetings' (speaker:Violet-Anne Wynne OR speaker:Seán Fleming OR speaker:Paul McAuliffe OR speaker:Michael Moynihan OR speaker:Steven Matthews OR speaker:Marian Harkin OR speaker:Jackie Cahill OR speaker:Willie O'Dea)

Defamation (Amendment) Bill 2024: Second Stage (19 Sep 2024)

James Browne: I thank the Deputies for their contributions. In the time available to me, I want to address some of the issues raised. On the pre-legislative scrutiny and recommendations made, there is an increasing tendency on the Opposition side of the House to state that because the Government does not blindly accept the recommendations of an Oireachtas committee, it somehow has not taken them into...

Defamation (Amendment) Bill 2024: Second Stage (19 Sep 2024)

Thomas Pringle: I am thankful for the opportunity to contribute to the debate today on this Defamation (Amendment) Bill 2024. It is a very important document. It is very important in terms of the principles it is setting out to abolish juries, which are a vital part of the public and in protecting public discourse. I wish to talk about that. Unfortunately, I will not do so as eloquently as my colleagues....

Defamation (Amendment) Bill 2024: Second Stage (19 Sep 2024)

Catherine Connolly: I appreciate the time to speak on this Bill. I wish I had more time. The Dáil is just back in session and this is very serious legislation, as is the next Bill we will consider, the Mental Health Bill 2024. The Defamation (Amendment) Bill involves a lot of reading. I have a lot of people to thank for their help. Once again, under pressure, the library and research service has...

Defamation (Amendment) Bill 2024: Second Stage (19 Sep 2024)

Richard Boyd Barrett: At the outset, let me thank former judge, Mr. Justice Bernard Barton, for giving me a briefing on this issue some time ago and apologise to him - he is probably watching - that I have not been able to get back to him in the past two days. It has been a bit manic in advance of this debate. However, I am cognisant of his strong views on this Bill and I agree with them and with the concerns...

Defamation (Amendment) Bill 2024: Second Stage (19 Sep 2024)

Catherine Murphy: There are aspects of the Bill that we can support and other aspects about which we have concerns. If we were to ask the average person on the street whether they see this as something that applies to them, they would say it does not, not because they fear their reputation being defamed but because there is a perception and reality about the cost of taking legal proceedings. It would only be...

Defamation (Amendment) Bill 2024: Second Stage (19 Sep 2024)

Jim O'Callaghan: I will start by saying that, as a barrister, I have represented many people who have taken defamation claims. I have also represented many media organisations that have defended defamation claims. That does not give me any more authority than anyone else in the House to speak, but I have an insight into how defamation law has developed since the last significant enactment came into effect...

Defamation (Amendment) Bill 2024: Second Stage (19 Sep 2024)

Pa Daly: That is not what the media said when they appeared before the media committee.

Defamation (Amendment) Bill 2024: Second Stage (19 Sep 2024)

Jim O'Callaghan: The Minister of State can respond, but I suspect that that is part of the reason we have the provisions that are included in section 17. Politicians are perfectly entitled to institute defamation proceedings. In fact, some of the more significant defamation judgments have been as a result of politicians’ proceedings, whether instituted by the former Minister, Proinsias De Rossa,...

Defamation (Amendment) Bill 2024: Second Stage (19 Sep 2024)

Catherine Connolly: And look at the clock.

Defamation (Amendment) Bill 2024: Second Stage (19 Sep 2024)

Brendan Howlin: As legislators, we approach the whole area of defamation law reform guided by two constitutional values. First, there is the citizen's right to protection and vindication of his or her good name under Article 42.3. Second, there is the right of the citizen to express freely his or her convictions and opinions, which is guaranteed under Article 46.1. The Bill before the House must be judged...

Defamation (Amendment) Bill 2024: Second Stage (19 Sep 2024)

Ruairi Ó Murchú: There is a considerable amount in this Bill with which we will all agree. A lot of us will look for balance and something that works from a point of view of people have a right to maintain their good name, ensuring that we allow for freedom of speech and do not inhibit responsible journalism. We know that is an absolutely necessary part of the democratic process. An awful lot of this is...

Defamation (Amendment) Bill 2024: Second Stage (19 Sep 2024)

Pa Daly: I thank the Minister of State for his briefing. While reform of this legislation is required and is something that we have previously called for, it is important for a balance to be struck. I thank the Library and Research Service for its briefing document, which, as usual, is excellent. I note in that document the comments of a previous Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Charles...

Defamation (Amendment) Bill 2024: Second Stage (19 Sep 2024)

Defamation (Amendment) Bill 2024: Second Stage (19 Sep 2024)

James Browne: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle and Deputies. This is an important Bill that balances and safeguards the rights to freedom of expression with the protection of good name and reputation, and to access to justice. This legislation touches on the protection of our democracy itself and introduces innovative measures to protect responsible...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (19 Sep 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: I thank Deputy Bruton who, as always, makes a very important intervention. The whole environment has changed for school children, particularly with the prominence of social media and mobile phone devices. That is a debate that has been happening across the way. It might be timely on the 100th anniversary of the Department of Education to look at that again. I will certainly speak to the...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (19 Sep 2024)

Violet-Anne Wynne: I have to raise the disastrous roll-out of the defunct pilot school transport scheme in County Clare. I hope it is not replicated in other rural areas. There has been a cluster of serious safety concerns. All I have received in response from the Minister is reference to another review. There had to be major backwards and forwards with the parents and Bus Éireann. I thank all of the...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (19 Sep 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: I ask the Deputy to give me the details. All of us, and the Minister, Deputy Foley, have been very involved in the bus transport scheme. I have found her office to be extremely helpful in that regard. Bus Éireann and its inspectors have a role in it with regard to the routes and where the stops are. I have come across an issue in my own area very similar to the one the Deputy raised....

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (19 Sep 2024)

Pádraig O'Sullivan: I will raise my favourite hobby horse, namely, Uisce Éireann. It was raised previously by other colleagues. The Minister is obviously familiar with the situation in Cork city, where there is discoloured and contaminated water on a continual basis. TDs in the Cork constituencies attended a meeting two weeks ago with Uisce Éireann. It became clear that Uisce Éireann is trying...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (19 Sep 2024)

Darragh O'Brien: I thank the Deputy. We have discussed these particular issues in Cork city and beyond. I am meeting the chief executive and the incoming chairperson of Uisce Éireann. I will seek additional funding for Uisce Éireann on the capital side to carry out additional works. The Deputy referred to Cork city. That is a big piece of work. Another scheme that we discussed is the...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (19 Sep 2024)

Cuireadh an Dáil ar fionraí ar 1.15 p.m. agus cuireadh tús leis arís ar 1.55 p.m. Sitting suspended at 1.15 p.m. and resumed at 1.55 p.m.