Dáil passes hate crime legislation

The Dáil has this evening passed the Criminal Justice (Incitement to Violence or Hatred and Hate Offences) Bill.

It was voted though by a majority of 78 to 52.

Last September, Justice Minister Helen McEntee confirmed she was not moving ahead with plans to introduce new hate speech laws but would press ahead with the hate crime element.

She said she was proceeding in this fashion because "the incitement to hatred element [of the bill] does not have a consensus."

Tonight in the Dáil, she said Ireland was one of the last countries to introduce hate crime legislation.

She added that no other jurisdiction which had brought in such laws had defined hatred.

Minister McEntee was replying to Sinn Féin's Matt Carthy who said that simple and clear definitions were required.

Some opposition politicians expressed total opposition to the revised Bill, including deputy Mattie McGrath who called it a half-baked vanity project.

It was also opposed by Independent Danny Healy Rae and Peader Tóibín of Aontú.

Labour TD Brendan Howlin said that the Minister had used powerful words regarding the protection of vulnerable people.

However, he said the protections she spoke of were not reflected in the amendments which were being debated.

Concluding, Minister McEntee said she "absolutely believes" that the Dáil will in the future have to consider introducing hate speech laws.