HC Deb 14 February 1837 vol 36 c562

Mr. O'Connell moved for leave to bring in a Bill to amend the law relating to libel. Two years ago he had brought in a Bill on this subject; but, after it had been read a second time, a Committee was appointed to inquire into the subject, and the whole Session was wasted. Last year he had again obtained leave to bring in a Bill; but he was otherwise so much engaged, that he could not press it, and after he had become Member for Kilkenny, it was so late in the Session, that he thought it useless to press it forward. He was at liberty to say, that the Attorney-General did not object to the introduction of the Bill, though he was opposed to some of its details, and as there would be ample opportunities of discussing the measure in its future stages, and as nothing was more unsatisfactory than the present state of the libel law, he should now content himself with simply moving for leave to bring in the Bill.

Leave given.