24. (1) The Commission shall, not later than 30 June in each year—

(a) prepare a report on its activities in the immediately preceding year, and

(b) cause copies of the report to be laid before each House of the Oireachtas.

(2) Notwithstanding subsection (1), if but for this subsection, the first report under this section would relate to a period of less than 6 months, the report shall relate to that period and to the year immediately following that period and shall be made as soon as may be, but not later than 6 months after the end of that year.

(3) The Commission may, at any time after subsection (1)(b) has been complied with, publish its annual report in such form and manner as it considers appropriate.

(4) For the purposes of the law of defamation, a report under subsection (1) shall be absolutely privileged.