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Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation Bill 2026. The Bill introduces protections for those targeted by strategic lawsuits against public participation, commonly known as SLAPPs. SLAPPs are abusive court proceedings which are not taken to assert a right or seek genuine redress but to prevent, restrict or penalise public … participation by threatening and intimidating people or organisations engaged in public criticism or debate. Common targets of SLAPPs include journalists, media outlets, and human rights defenders. SLAPP proceedings are often characterised by an imbalance of power with one party using the significant resources at their disposal to place

This is the second time in seven months the Oireachtas has been asked to legislate against SLAPPs in defamation cases. The Defamation Act 2026 was signed into law on 19 February. Part 7 of that Act inserted anti-SLAPP provisions for defamation cases. On 25 February the Minister … March. He did not bring Part 7 into force. The Department said Part 7 would be commenced to align with a separate SLAPP Bill. The general scheme of that separate Bill was published on 11 February 2026, which was eight days before the defamation Act was signed into

will do my best to go through many of the questions that were posed. Most of the Members raised the importance of the SLAPP legislation. The most recent data from the Coalition Against SLAPPs in Europe suggests that 34 SLAPP cases were filed in Ireland between … This is not a huge number, but we are also very conscious that collecting information on SLAPPs can be challenging for a number of reasons. Many Members outlined that some SLAPP-type cases might be started on a pre-litigation basis between the parties and before court proceedings

thank the Minister of State. Sinn Féin welcomes legislation that will provide greater protections against strategic lawsuits against public participation, SLAPPs. The judicial system is a foundational pillar of the State and society. As with any such pillar, that there is faith and confidence in its fairness … system and silence political opponents, environmental or human rights activists and others. Sinn Féin welcomes this legislation, which will provide new protections against SLAPPs across commercial and civil law while enhancing those recently passed by the Oireachtas. People should be clear as to what a SLAPP

welcome this SLAPP Bill. Legislation on this issue is long overdue. I have been in the ear of a number of Ministers for justice for at least five or six years, looking for legislation in relation to this. I am glad the European Commission saw fit to begin … infringement proceedings against Ireland last May for its failure to transpose the 2024 anti-SLAPP directive into Irish law. SLAPP is among the worst forms of abuse anybody can suffer. It is not confined to defamation; it comes in many guises. I have seen trumped-up trespass cases

award damages to those who have been subject to abuse of court proceedings against public participation. This transposes Article 15 of the anti-SLAPP directive, which requires member states to make provision for effective, proportionate and dissuasive penalties or other equally effective appropriate measures, including the payment … compensation for damages or the publication of the court decision on the party that brought the SLAPP proceedings. Section 34H provides that damages may be awarded only where a court has declared the proceedings in question to be abuse of court proceedings against public participation under section

speaking simply too great. Coming back to the Bill, I welcome the fact the Government is completing the transposition of the European anti-SLAPP directive and even extending these protections beyond defamation to other civil and commercial proceedings. I particularly welcome the decision to extend the protections … where we can make this legislation stronger as it progresses. There needs to be a clearly identified focal point for people dealing with SLAPPs and it is my understanding that IHREC is willing to perform that role, but I do not believe it is named in the legislation

here later? SLAPP suits, which is I think what this section deals with, are of course an abhorrent attempt to place fear of financial ruin particularly on ordinary people or to scare off media outlets that might have a limited budget from taking part in either public life … that we should seek to address this and prohibit that. I do have a couple of slight concerns. I have seen definitions of SLAPPs being thrown around that are not definitions of SLAPPs. Some commentators suggest that, for example, any political representative who tries to clear

worth keeping it at the centre of our consideration of this Bill. What we are dealing with here are commonly called SLAPPs, strategic lawsuits against public participation. We are essentially talking about legal proceedings which can be used against somebody because their participation is a matter of public … public participation more generally. This issue has been recognised at European level already. In April 2024, the EU adopted its anti-SLAPP directive, which requires member states to provide minimum procedural safeguards for people targeted by manifestly unfounded claims or abusive court proceedings arising from their participation

Bill in relation to alternative dispute resolution and an amendment in relation to the transposition of the remaining provisions of the anti-SLAPP directive. In parallel to the progression of the Bill, my officials are working on the transposition of the remaining requirements of the anti-SLAPP directive … Part 7. There may also be an amendment in respect of the granting of damages for harm suffered by a person targeted by SLAPP if it is believed that is necessary or appropriate. In consultation with the Courts Service we are looking at the wording of provisions relating

Ireland has been encouraged for a number of years by media organisations, civil society groups and international bodies to strengthen protections against SLAPPs. The Government has acknowledged that SLAPPs pose significant challenges to press freedom and democratic debate and that measures are required to prevent misuse

vexatious or potentially defamatory statements. We have heard that this Bill is a direct and necessary response to EU Directive 2024/1069, the anti-SLAPP directive. To be a little bit facetious, it is taking its time. The EU has had to give Ireland a little slap … direction. That in itself has a chilling effect. Regarding the costs, the very act of hiring a legal team to file the anti-SLAPP application costing thousands of euro is going to be prohibitive for some. Very small NGOs, community groups or individuals might not have these funds

clear about why I think they are important. There is a lot in this Bill that deserves support, such as the anti-SLAPP measures, which are welcome and necessary. Protecting people who speak out in the public interest is a step in the right direction, but a provision … this amendment, which many of us are supporting, would reflect that same principle. The Bill already brings in some reforms, including the anti-SLAPP protections, clearer defences and a more structured approach to damages. These are really good changes and will make a difference, and they should

Bill. If people maliciously use the court system to intimidate people from speaking truth to power, so-called strategic lawsuits against public participation, SLAPP, it is absolutely right that they would be held to account. That is why we will be supporting the provisions in that regard … concern around the narrative of this whole issue. The Minister acknowledged on Committee Stage that Ireland does not have a big issue with SLAPP. We have had an issue in the past in respect of high awards. The awards were substantially too high. This sense that newspapers

future. A citizen in Meath has challenged alleged environmental damage by a large quarry company but he has been hit with two SLAPP litigations and is threatened with three more. These litigations are not designed to be heard but they threaten financial ruin on the individual and they … Chief State Solicitor defend the justice system, or at the very least will the Minister for justice meet with the target of these SLAPP litigations

time to come here. I share his objective that we ensure that better protections are provided for those who are targeted by SLAPPs. Fortunately, however, in Ireland we do not experience SLAPPs in the same way as I think other, more populous jurisdictions have experienced them in recent

story, a community group withdraws an objection or a citizen deletes a post, the public loses. The problem is growing. The Coalition Against SLAPPs in Europe has now documented 1,303 of these cases across Europe since 2010, with 167 new cases added in 2024 alone

free and fair media, the reforming of the defamation laws to allow for fair comment is very welcome. Addressing the problem of SLAPP, strategic lawsuits against public participation, is also something that is very important. We should never see a situation where politicians or those in positions

concerned we have attempted to specifically address perceived restrictions that might exist for media in terms of defamation actions. With strategic litigations - SLAPPS - and things of that nature which are covered by that legislation, it is obviously important to suppress the ability of people to use litigation

occasion, experienced a few fluctuations due to concerns regarding, for example, legal threats to journalists, especially in the context of so-called SLAPPS that are often cited in connection with defamation lawsuits filed by politicians, political parties and certain business tycoons. There is a general need for regulation

broadcasts. We will, however, be opposing the Bill itself. While the Bill contains important provisions with regard to strategic lawsuits against public participation, SLAPPs, for example, and Sinn Féin remains willing to engage constructively with the Minister in relation to defamation reform or any other matter, we oppose

commencement of the Act. Amendment No. 2 simply clarifies that different provisions of Part 4A, which deals with transposition of the EU anti-SLAPP directive, can be commenced at different times

Minister could have said that he had addressed many of the concerns that existed within our defamation laws, particularly the potential use of SLAPPs, through one of the first Bills he brought through the House and that he had the full support of the House in so doing

Deputy has brought it to my attention and I will inquire into that now. More broadly, on the whole issue of SLAPP and the likes, the defamation Bill the Minister for justice is bringing forward will give consideration to these issues. I will ask the Minister, Deputy

There is much to welcome in the legislation as proposed. While we support many of the anti-SLAPP measures that are included, like others, we in the Social Democrats recoil at the absence of juries within the courts system. Juries provide the judgment of a person's peers

Migration the progression of the Defamation (Amendment) Bill 2024 as committed to in the Programme for Government; how this will provide safeguards against SLAPP (strategic lawsuits against public participation) suits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42398/25