Results 1,521-1,540 of 1,591 for speaker:Eugene Regan

Seanad: Defamation Bill 2006: Committee Stage (4 Dec 2007)

Eugene Regan: Now that any action will include verifying affidavits by all parties, will the losing party be guilty of an offence under this section, attracting the penalty——

Seanad: Defamation Bill 2006: Committee Stage (4 Dec 2007)

Eugene Regan: The section defines "multiple publication" as "publication by a person of the same defamatory statement to two or more persons ... whether contemporaneously or not." If a defamatory statement is made in, say, the Irish Independent which is then made ten times in the Sunday Independent, will that constitute a multiple publication? Is the definition precise enough?

Seanad: Defamation Bill 2006: Committee Stage (4 Dec 2007)

Eugene Regan: I welcome the Minister's statement that he will reconsider this definition. His statement that separate publications give rise to different causes of action does not emerge from this section.

Seanad: Defamation Bill 2006: Committee Stage (4 Dec 2007)

Eugene Regan: Is there a mischief there? As the Minister describes it, if a defamatory programme is re-broadcast, that seems to be a separate cause of action. Is the section needed at all because it seems there is a mischief worthy of protection in those terms?

Seanad: Defamation Bill 2006: Committee Stage (4 Dec 2007)

Eugene Regan: If this section is to be included a definition of defamation with regard to a corporate body would have to be included as it has been with regard to the natural person. This matter of defamation of a corporate body must be considered but the clause "whether or not it has incurred or is likely to incur financial loss as a result of the publication of that statement" is certainly over the top....

Seanad: Defamation Bill 2006: Committee Stage (4 Dec 2007)

Eugene Regan: It has been decided that this Bill is re-entered on Committee Stage and not on Second Stage. Senator Callely is arguing on the basis of Second Stage. That is a bone of contention on this side of the House. He cannot deny it, vote against it and then try to abuse the privilege of the House.

Seanad: Defamation Bill 2006: Committee Stage (4 Dec 2007)

Eugene Regan: On a point of order, as the Leas-Chathaoirleach has made a ruling, the Senator should respect that ruling. It is the prerogative of the Leas-Chathaoirleach to make that ruling. It is not the Act at large regardless of the previous interpretation put on it. It is the ruling of the Leas-Chathaoirleach that determines the matter. As he has ruled on it, the Senator should respect the Chair.

Seanad: Defamation Bill 2006: Committee Stage (4 Dec 2007)

Eugene Regan: I do indeed.

Seanad: Defamation Bill 2006: Committee Stage (4 Dec 2007)

Eugene Regan: On section 1, apropos of the question raised by Senator Norris, I read the record of the House on Committee Stage of the Bill in the last Seanad. It was a comprehensive debate and points of agreement were reached on a number of the sections. The return to the Bill on Committee Stage is an issue, as also is the issue of using and benefiting from that debate in order to revise the Bill and to...

Seanad: Defamation Bill 2006: Committee Stage (4 Dec 2007)

Eugene Regan: I am sure the Minister has a good reason but this is a new Seanad and a new Bill would have been in order. The Minister might wish to comment. I fully understand the objectives of this Bill——

Seanad: Defamation Bill 2006: Committee Stage (4 Dec 2007)

Eugene Regan: I understand. Those are my commencing remarks on section 1.

Seanad: Defamation Bill 2006: Committee Stage (4 Dec 2007)

Eugene Regan: Why is defamation not defined in section 2 under the list of definitions? It merely states that it shall be construed. Normally, such a definitions section would state that the words to be defined have a particular meaning. In this case, the section simply states, "construed accordingly".

Seanad: Defamation Bill 2006: Committee Stage (4 Dec 2007)

Eugene Regan: The Minister should explain what he envisages as the scope of section 3(2), which provides for an element of retrospection in this Bill. It states that, "A provision of this Act shall not affect the operation of the general law in relation to defamation, in force immediately before its commencement, except to the extent that that provision provides otherwise". What is the scope of this...

Seanad: Defamation Bill 2006: Committee Stage (4 Dec 2007)

Eugene Regan: Do we need the penultimate phrase, "except to the extent that that provision provides otherwise" in section 3(2)? Where are we providing for retrospective legislation? Do we really need that last clause?

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Dec 2007)

Eugene Regan: The Defamation Bill is on the Order Paper, having been reintroduced on Committee Stage. I understand the Leader previously indicated it would be introduced on Second Stage given that 35 of the 60 Senators are new to the House. It is regrettable it is being introduced on Committee Stage but perhaps the Leader might comment on it. The Leader has indicated the Taoiseach will come to the House...

Seanad: Order of Business (4 Dec 2007)

Eugene Regan: I just make the point that publications on the Mahon tribunal in the media are fair and reasonable publications on a matter of public importance. I ask the Leader to address the questions I have raised.

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Nov 2007)

Eugene Regan: I have a question for the Leader of the House. We had a discussion on the Tribunals of Inquiry Bill which was restored to the Order Paper. The matter seemed to be urgent and there was some furore about it. What is the current status of the Bill and how is it planned to progress it? In respect of the same subject, I draw the attention of the House to the significant new evidence which...

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Nov 2007)

Eugene Regan: I understand. I am not discussing individual issues. I am just surprised that, unlike other media, RTE relegated that report in its news bulletins yesterday.

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Nov 2007)

Eugene Regan: I will be very brief and conclude. I draw attention to the relegation of the report by RTE in its main news bulletins, unlike other television stations. This follows on from a pattern by RTE in respect of certain dealings relating to fair broadcasting. It follows on, of course, from a soft interview with the Taoiseach last September which allowed him to get his story across about the...

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Nov 2007)

Eugene Regan: I appreciate that.