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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 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 publication on matter of public interest.26A. Abolition of Reynolds defence.27. Innocent publication.27A. Live broadcast defence.Part 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.Part 4A Additional provisions regarding defamation proceedings relating to engagement in public participation (ss. 34A-34I)34A. Definitions (Part 4A).34B. Defamation proceedings to which Part applies.34C. Information to be given to court.34D. Security for costs.34E. Application to strike out claim and appeal.34F. Application for declaration where application to strike out claim.34G. Application for declaration before, during or at conclusion of trial of action and costs.34H. Order for damages in case of section 34F or 34G declaration.34I. Publication of certain judgments and court orders.Part 4B Alternative dispute resolution (ss. 34J-34N)34J. Definitions (Part 4B).34K. Practising solicitor and alternatives to issuing of certain proceedings.34L. Effect of specified ADR procedures on limitation periods.34M. Court inviting parties to consider alternatives to certain proceedings.34N. Factors to be considered by court in awarding costs.Part 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 and draft s. 45)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.45. Circuit Court identification order.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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AI Summary of Acts Referred to

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Version status: | Document consolidation status: Updated to reflect all known changes
Version date: 23 July 2009 - onwards

Acts Referred to

Civil Liability Act 1961, No. 41

Civil Liability and Courts Act 2004, No. 31

Commissions of Investigation Act 2004, No. 23

Committees of the Houses of the Oireachtas (Compellability, Privileges and Immunities of Witnesses) Act 1997, No. 17

Committees of the Houses of the Oireachtas (Privilege and Procedure) Act 1976, No. 10

Courts (Supplemental Provisions) Act 1961, No. 39

Courts Act 1991, No. 20

Courts of Justice Act 1924, No. 10

Defamation Act 1961, No. 40

European Communities Act 1972, No. 27

Irish Takeover Panel Act 1997, No. 5

Statute of Limitations 1957, No. 6

Tribunals of Inquiry (Evidence) Acts 1921 to 2004

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