Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)

These are drafting amendments, based on advice from the Office of the Attorney General and the Parliamentary Counsel. They propose to delete sections 7(1)(b) and 7(2)(b), which refer to the provision of further information by plaintiffs or defendants under sworn affidavits. I am advised that retention of the provisions would require the addition of a detailed definition as to what constitutes further information. The deletion of the references in question does not materially affect the provision of information between plaintiffs and defendants. The text is also being amended on a technical basis to ensure correct reference is made to assertions or allegations. Amendment No. 11 is a new section which abolishes any defence that might be pleaded in a libel or slander action under the common law immediately before the commencement of Part 2 of the Bill. The amendment is consequential on amendment No. 1, which was referred to earlier.