Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister. I was interested in the Minister's argument, particularly in relation to amendment No. 2, that the definition of " "hate" includes bias, prejudice, contempt, hostility and bigotry;". The Minister's argument is that in order to convict somebody of a hate, they have to prove that they have bias, prejudice, contempt, hostility and bigotry.

They have to prove all of them. If they can only prove that somebody has bias, prejudice and contempt they cannot secure a conviction because they could not prove hostility and bigotry. Maybe I am mad but I do not see how that would stand up. I would like to see case law that shows every other case in which the same definition arises. It does not stand to reason at all that it would be the case. For that reason I am adamant that it should be included. I do not understand any of the reasoning behind the opposition to it.