Defamation and policing reforms prioritised in spring legislative programme

The spring legislative programme, published yesterday, identifies 46 priority bills for publication and drafting in the spring Dáil session, i.e. the next nine weeks.

The landmark Defamation (Amendment) Bill will implement changes recommended by a major review of the Defamation Act 2009, including the abolition of juries in High Court cases — a change opposed by the Law Society of Ireland.

The Garda Síochána (Powers) Bill will codify police powers of search, arrest and detention and procedural rights of suspects, while the Garda Síochána (Recording Devices) (Amendment) Bill will allow gardaí to use facial recognition technology in certain circumstances.

The Child Care (Amendment) Bill will introduce significant reforms to the Child Care Act 1991 to reflect best practice developments in the sphere of child welfare and protection services.

Other bills included in the programme concern issues like the appointment of additional coroners, the Unified Patent Court, proceeds of crime and mandatory roadside drug testing. There are also proposals on housing and healthcare.

Government chief whip Hildegarde Naughton said: “Since the formation of this government in 2020, 183 bills have been published of which 173 have been enacted to date. During this coming spring Dáil session we will build on this work through the priority publication of 22 pieces of legislation and a further 24 bills for drafting.

“The spring legislation programme marks out a roadmap for an incredibly busy Dáil term for ministers and departments with changes afoot to healthcare, access to housing, stronger safer communities and road safety, amongst many other bills.”

She added: “It will certainly be a busy period ahead for all ministers and government departments. I look forward to working with my colleagues in government and indeed on the opposition benches to build on this progress between now and the end of the year.”