Public Relations Institute of Ireland (PRII)

Lobbying Organisation Public Relations Institute of Ireland (PRII)

Date published 21 Dec, 2016

Relevant Matter Legislation

Public Policy Area Justice and Equality

Period 1 Sep, 2016 to 31 Dec, 2016

Specific Details Reform of the Defamation Act 2009. In response to the Department of Justice review on the subject.

Intended results That Section 27 of the 2009 Defamation Act (which allows for the defence of innocent publication by internet service providers and social media platforms), should be made contingent on such bodies complying with new, statutory requirements in terms of how they handle complaints concerning defamation That the Press Council be given the ability to levy fines. Currently the Press Council does not have such an ability, and can only require its member publications to publish its findings. That trials before the High Court for defamation be, in general, only tried before judges. That the provisions of the 2009 Act be updated so that all publishers are eligible for membership of the Press Council, including broadcasters such as RTÉ in respect of their online content. That the public relations and communications profession be represented on the Press Council. That there be a statutory review of the legislation every three years by the Minister for Justice. The full PRII submission can be accessed here: https://www.prii.ie/news/december-2016/prii-proposes-reform-of-the-defamation-act.html

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity John Carroll, CEO

Did any Designated Public Official(DPO) or former Designated Public Official(DPO) carry out lobbying activities on your behalf in relation to this return? You must include yourself, and answer Yes, if you are a current DPO or a DPO at any time in the past. (What is a Designated Public Official?) No

Did you manage or direct a grassroots campaign? No

Was this lobbying done on behalf of a client? No

Lobbying activity

The following activities occurred for this specific Subject Matter Area.

Email (2-5)

The PRII submission to the Department of Justice review was sent to the Justice spokespeople from Fianna Fáil, Sinn Féin, the Labour Party, the Social Democrats and Fine Gael.

Social Media (1)

The PRII submission was highlighted in a tweet to Minister Fitzgerald.

Designated public officials lobbied

The following DPOs were lobbied during this return period on this specific Subject Matter Area. These DPOs were involved in at least one of the Lobbying Activities listed above, but not necessarily all of them. As returns are specific to a Subject Matter Area the above Lobbying Activities may be associated with multiple returns.

Brendan Howlin TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Catherine Murphy TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Jim O'Callaghan TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Jonathan O'Brien TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Martin Conway Senator (Seanad)

Frances Fitzgerald Minister (Department of Justice and Equality)