Eileen Flynn (Independent) | Oireachtas source

May I ask one further question? This may come back to bite me but I wish to address the issue of hate crime legislation. The witnesses are professionals who deal with discrimination every day. I am strongly in favour of hate crime legislation. I came into the Oireachtas with a vision of bringing in legislation that protects people who are part of minority groups. Do CLM and FLAC support hate crime legislation? Credit where credit is due, the Minister, Deputy McEntee, did a lot of great work in creating the Criminal Justice (Incitement to Violence or Hatred and Hate Offences) Bill 2022, which addresses incitement to hatred and stirring up hatred. I am passionate about seeing that Bill across the line. People in the Houses of the Oireachtas are afraid to even talk about hate crime legislation because of the backlash from outside the Houses. I am passionate about getting this hate crime legislation enacted. It will not stop hatred or discrimination but it will offer a level of protection to people from our community and people with disabilities. I refer to the referendums held two weeks ago. If we really want to protect people with disabilities, we should enact this hate crime legislation. I do not wish to put words into people's mouth. I could be in big trouble for raising this issue. Are the witnesses in favour of the hate crime legislation as it stands?