The Cabinet has approved draft legislation, proposed by Minister for Justice Simon Harris to reform Ireland's defamation laws by reducing legal delays and costs.
The proposals will make significant changes to the current laws, including the ending of juries participating in High Court defamation actions.
If a person is libeled, the correction would get equal prominence to the original defamation.
Solicitors would have to tell clients to consider alternatives to defamation proceedings, including mediation.
A defendant or plaintiff could offer to lodge a settlement in court which would be taken into account when costs are calculated.
There will be stronger legal protection for journalists working in the public interest, while new measures will aim to tackle strategic lawsuits taken against public participation.
The courts will be able to order online services to identify the owner of an anonymous account if they make a defamatory statement.
A new process will make it quicker and cheaper to notify a digital publisher of defamatory content, and request that it is taken down.
There will be more grounds to defend live broadcasts where a contributor unexpectedly makes a defamatory comment.
Minister Harris confirmed that the defamation bill will be passed by the end of the year.
He told his Cabinet colleagues that this legislation will ensure there are adequate protections for people who have been defamed and the proposed law protects a persons right to their good name.
However, it also ensures people who participate in public debate - the media, public representatives - can challenge each other without fearing legal threats.
Additional reporting Paul Cunningham
