Comments on Independent.ie

I notice that the "Comment On This Story" option on the Independent website has gone missing.

Anyone know why this is ? Were they getting worried about the content and being possibly sued for defamation ?

It's a bit crap imo that Irish libel/slander laws are so strict as to prevent free opinions being posted on the Web without the possibility of litigation from someone who feels aggrieved, even if the comment in question is completely factual.

Dead on Pique. I wonder, if by any chance, the people who drew up these idiotic rules had anything to, er, hide?