Members of the Seanad are being warned that they must amend the Defamation Bill coming before them this week, as the legislation in its present form won’t do enough to protect small businesses from “vexatious” defamation claims.

That is the view of the Alliance for Insurance Reform, which says a large volume of these claims affect local retailers, corner shops, and businesses in the tourism and hospitality sectors.

ISME – the Irish Small and Medium Enterprises Association – is also warning Senators that they have a “last chance” to reform defamation law.

To discuss this further, Alan Morrissey was joined by Brian Hanley, CEO Alliance for Insurance Reform and Crystel Robbins Rynne, HR Locker CEO.

Picture (c) Oireachtas.ie