Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Taoiseach for his response. Everybody in the House recognises the importance of religious freedom. Everybody should have freedom of conscience to believe what they want and to express views on it as long as it does not incite hatred. We have laws about incitement to hatred, which can be strengthened, but we need to take the dated concept of blasphemy out of our fundamental law in the Constitution.

I acknowledge the Taoiseach's comment that he will raise the specific case of Asia Bibi. It would be a sign of our non-acceptance of intolerance that we would reach out to somebody like Asia. It would be an important sign to say we will provide asylum because she will not be able to live in Pakistan with the death threats she and her family have endured. Even if the authorities there release her, she should be offered asylum somewhere and why not offer her asylum here? Will the Taoiseach give some consideration to that proposal?

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