Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail)

I have debated this section with the Minister and his officials. It is badly in need of modification. When someone is defamed, the defendant may agree to offer a degree of compensation without an apology or acknowledging the defamation. The person may decide to pursue the case because reputation is more important than compensation. Subsequently, the court may find that the plaintiff was seriously defamed but damages come to less than what was offered. Suppose damages of €25,000 were awarded but the publisher had offered €30,000. The plaintiff may be lumbered with €500,000 in legal costs.