James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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I propose that we go into private session as there is a bit of procedure to go through.

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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Before we move on to the main business of the meeting, on behalf of the committee, I wish to read the following statement into the record.

At its meeting on 4 July 2023, the committee engaged in pre-legislative scrutiny of the general scheme of the defamation (amendment) Bill. Following the meeting, the committee received correspondence from a solicitor acting on behalf of Mr. Stephen Rae which claimed that statements made by a witness during the proceedings were “untrue and severely damaging to my client’s reputation”. This correspondence was formally considered at the committee’s meeting on 12 July 2023.

Arising from the committee’s discussions and agreement at that meeting, I, as Cathaoirleach, wish to state that the committee notes the correspondence from the solicitor acting for Mr. Stephen Rae and that he had objected in strong terms to the characterisation of proceedings taken by him as a strategic lawsuit against public participation, SLAPP. I also wish to state that in accordance with the separation of powers, the committee does not express any view as to the merits of any litigation pending before the courts, nor do we take any position as to whether any particular proceedings could or could not come within the definition of a SLAPP. The committee considers the matter concluded.

We will proceed to the main purpose of our meeting and invite the witnesses to join us.