Dublin: The Irish government has reportedly scrapped its proposed anti-racism speech law, intended to criminalise hate speech based on race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, and disability, in an effort to avoid political disputes and controversy. Justice Minister Helen McEntee confirmed the decision, stating that a lack of consensus on the issue had led to the law being put on hold. Speaking at Fine Gael’s Small Business and Enterprise Conference in Athlone, McEntee said there were no immediate plans to reintroduce the legislation.
The bill, aimed at strengthening legal penalties for hate speech, was introduced by the government with the goal of addressing incitement to violence and hatred. However, McEntee revealed that sections related to incitement would be removed from the Criminal Justice Bill currently advancing through the Senate. The minister said she would amend the bill to eliminate these provisions, citing the lack of political agreement.
The proposed law had faced opposition from free speech advocates, including public figures such as Elon Musk, as well as some backbench TDs within the ruling party. Despite this, McEntee maintained her commitment to ensuring tougher penalties for hate crimes. She emphasised the importance of legislation that would provide stricter punishment for attacks motivated solely by racism, asserting that a new law remains necessary to hold perpetrators accountable.
The government’s decision drew strong criticism from former Justice Minister Alan Shatter, who condemned the move as politically opportunistic and morally flawed. Shatter argued that the legislation was essential, calling the decision to abandon it a result of political cowardice. He criticised the government for backing down in the face of controversy, stating that such reasoning should not prevent the implementation of much-needed protections against hate speech.
Despite the current halt, the debate surrounding the proposed law is likely to continue as discussions on free speech, hate crimes, and public safety remain at the forefront of political discourse in Ireland.
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