Official announcements from the Irish government or news reports

Irish Government Drops Controversial Hate Speech Laws in Free Speech Victory

Sep 21, 2024, 12:33 PM

The Irish government has decided to abandon its controversial plans to introduce hate speech laws. This decision follows significant criticism from various quarters, including its own backbenchers, free speech groups, and notable figures such as tech billionaire Elon Musk. The proposed laws, part of the Criminal Justice (Incitement to Violence or Hatred and Hate Offences) Bill 2022, would have imposed severe restrictions on speech, potentially criminalizing private criticism of mass migration and gender ideology. The Minister for Justice confirmed the removal of these contentious elements, marking a significant victory for free speech advocates. This is the second time in 5 years that such a bill has been defeated, following the March referendums. The bill would have also allowed police to search phones and computers for prohibited content.