Patrick Costello (Dublin South Central, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I thank everyone for coming in. I thank Senator Ruane for raising the question of firewalls, which is relevant to all of us. I will put this Bill in a little context because if we look at reports from the Irish Network Against Racism, INAR, we see increased levels of reporting of racist abuse and racially motivated attacks.

There is a growing, sinister and worrying trend towards extremism and hate-motivated speech, as well as a nasty, aggressive and concerning attempt to deliberately tear apart the fabric of society, point people out and target them. I suspect that Pavee Point would say this has been going on for a long time and has been affecting the Traveller community for a long time. We are seeing it in a much more open way now. As a society and as legislators, we have to respond to this. The action plan against racism, which many speakers referred to, is useful and will be important in ensuring we are brought together again while people try to pull apart the fabric of society. We also need to ensure people stop pulling us apart, which is where I see this legislation coming in.

I will pick up on the point on which Senator Ruane finished, namely, the use of political and academic discourse as a defence. Mr. Collins also raised it. Travellers have been on the receiving end of racist abuse in elections. I understand and share many of Mr. Collins's concerns in relation to that wide exemption. I understand the need to strike a balance with freedom of expression. Ms Hurley discussed that point. I ask Dr. Schweppe and Dr. Haynes to respond to that issue as well.