This week the Irish Senate (Seanad) will commence a futile debate which is unlikely to amend the proposed legislation on hate speech and hate crimes that has already passed through the lower house of the Government with barely a ripple.
The proposed addition to the Irish Statute book, the Criminal Justice (Incitement to Violence or Hatred and Hate Offences) Bill 2022, seeks to create a new crime of hate speech (incitement to violence or hatred) as well as upgrading existing criminal acts when aggravated by hatred.
