By: cearta.ie » Another twist in the tale of the Defamation Bill

cearta.ie » Another twist in the tale of the Defamation Bill — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 10:19:40 +0000

[...] The saga of the Defamation Bill, 2006 is not over yet. Article 26 of Bunreacht na hÉireann (the Irish Constitution) allows the President, after consultation with Council of State, to refer a Bill to the Supreme Court for a determination of its constitutionality. President McAleese has chosen convene the Council of State to advise her on the qustion of whether to refer not only the (controversial) Criminal Justice (Amendment) Bill, 2009 (an unsurprising move) but also the (equally controversial) blasphemy elements of the Defamation Bill, 2006 (which has come as a great surprise). (See Belfast Telegraph | BreakingNews.ie | Bock the Robber | ICCL | Irish Emigrant | Irish Independent | RTÉ news | Irish Times | PA | Slugger O’Toole. Update (18 July 2009): see also Irish Examiner | Irish Times here and here | Irish Independent | MediaWatchWatch). [...]

By: Eoghan

Eoghan — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 14:40:57 +0000

This Council of the state was called because of the Criminal Justice Bill which allows for non-jury trials in certain criminal cases. Because the Defamation Bill was tacked on as part of the Criminal Justice Bill, it will also be examined but I doubt anything will happen in relation to it as it does not conflict with our messed up constitution.
So, it looks like we’re probably still screwed.

Comments on: Irish Blasphemy law – a step back from the brink?

By: cearta.ie » Another twist in the tale of the Defamation Bill

By: Eoghan