A senior Government figure has said that too much time has been spent on “rubbish that doesn’t matter to ordinary people” in the context of speech regulation.
Speaking to Gript this week on condition of anonymity, the source said the State should prioritise practical matters that affect the public directly.
“Focus should be on the bread and butter issues that really matter to people and impact on their lives,” the senior source said.
“We have wasted too much time on talking about rubbish that doesn’t matter to ordinary people.”
Their comments follow the release of a new National LGBTIQ+ Inclusion Strategy, which seems to indicate that the Government is looking to strengthen the country’s controversial hate speech legislation.
Independent Ireland leader Michael Collins TD told Gript that while LGBT activists were entitled to lobby for their interests, and that this was “their business”, he was opposed to any further legislation on hate speech.
“I would call on the Government to withdraw that part of the document,” he said, adding that most people in the country were not in favour of the measure.
“The majority of people in this country do not want updated hate speech laws to go through here, and we can’t be bringing it in by the backdoor, regardless of where it’s coming from,” he said.
Independent TD Carol Nolan expressed similar concern about what she described as pressure from NGOs.
“It’s time for the LGBTQ+ organisations and Government to realise two things,” she said.
“One, they do not speak for all individuals within those communities. And secondly, people are done pandering to the sensitivities of the NGOs behind these ‘action plans’ and in particular the belief that their so called right not be offended should muzzle free speech for the entire population.”
However, Independent TD Barry Heneghan, who is part of the Regional Independent group that votes with Government, defended the principle of stronger laws.
Heneghan said that the State had a duty to respond when free expression became abusive or inciteful.
“When it comes to the freedom of speech, I may not agree with everything people say, but I’ll defend their right to say it,” he said.
“Free speech is important to me, but it’s not a licence for targeted hate without any facts, which does happen.
“In my opinion the State has a duty to draw the line where speech becomes abuse or incitement. My view is that it shouldn’t be about silencing debate everyone voices should be heard.”
The new National LGBTIQ+ Inclusion Strategy outlines a series of planned measures by Government departments and State bodies, many of which presume the passage of hate speech laws.
One section tasks the Department of Justice with ensuring that incitement to hatred and hate crimes are “adequately addressed” through legislation, while Gardaí are to receive mandatory training on hate crimes and cultural awareness.
The strategy includes a number of deliverables to be actioned “upon enactment” of hate crime laws, including an information campaign.
In May of this year, the European Commission warned Ireland that it was not sufficiently addressing hate-based crimes and speech, and gave the Government two months to respond before it would be referred to the European Court of Justice.
Speaking to Gript last month, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said he had not observed “huge pressure” from the EU on the issue, but said that attacks on groups based on identity were not acceptable.
Although Ireland introduced hate crime legislation in December 2024, previous hate speech components were removed from the bill following internal Government disagreement and public criticism.
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