Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 2:

In page 6, between lines 6 and 7, to insert the following:

" "hate" includes bias, prejudice, contempt, hostility and bigotry;".

It comes down to the definition of "hate". The Bill is remarkable in that hate is not defined in it. This is an attempt to put in a definition that includes bias, prejudice, contempt, hostility and bigotry. It is to include that definition before the definition of hatred as well.

It is important that we have that definition there and can make that distinction. That will lead to the better functioning of this Bill when enacted.

That is important for the same reasons that we had in relation to amendment No. 1. The test of this Bill when enacted is how it works in practice. While we can clap ourselves on the back in passing legislation here, how it works and whether it is effective in practice is the measure of it.

It is important that we have the offences defined properly so that they can be implemented.