Sir, – The 39th and 40th amendments to the Constitution were supported in the Dáil by the majority of Government and Opposition TDs and many NGOs. The amendments were opposed by around 70 per cent of voters. The Government has said it respects this result.
The Criminal Justice (Incitement to Violence or Hatred and Hate Offences) Bill (known as the “Hate Speech Bill”) was supported in the Dáil by the majority of Government and Opposition TDs and many NGOs.
This Bill was opposed by around 70 per cent of those who made submissions on the consultation (“Hate crime reforms sparked public opposition as most politicians supported changes”, News, November 4th, 2022).
Perhaps the Government should respect this also? – Yours, etc,
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E BOLGER,
Dublin 9.
A chara, – With the spectacular rejection of the family referendum by the electorate, due in no small part to the failure to define what constitutes a “durable relationship”, surely the Government should abandon the Hate Speech Bill in its present format, as this too fails to give a definition of what “hate” is. – Yours, etc,
EAMONN O’HARA,
Manorcunningham,
Co Donegal.
