Aodhán Ó Ríordáin (Dublin Bay North, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I am reassured by that and I thank the Minister for her response. A Croatian man was beaten to death a couple of weeks ago because he did not speak English. We have had 23 arson attacks on accommodation centres over the last number of years. Members of the LGBTQ+ community and their families know what it is like to feel afraid that they will be assaulted for who they are.

We are behind every other European country when it comes to legislation in this regard. I am aghast at Government backbenchers who, in the wake of the referendums, have decided that this is some kind of culture war agenda. I am similarly aghast at members of the Opposition changing their position. I am encouraged by the Minister's words and while I hate to return to the issue of misinformation, in an election year this Bill is being used by people who are saying it is something that it is not. Can we speak to how serious the issues are and about the people we are hoping to protect? They are very vulnerable people, which is the point of the legislation the Minister is trying to get over the line, with the support of the Labour Party.

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