Brendan Ryan (Labour)

A description of one of the Acts being repealed refers to the "English not to stir up war". I am not sure, in view of Prime Minister Tony Blair's activities, whether we are wise in repealing such legislation. This Bill is not the stuff of high politics or high conflict, but it is an education and privilege to be involved in the debate. We could go on forever entertaining each other with the peculiarities of the legislation but we will not do so.

I wish the Minister of State well in bringing the Bill through the Oireachtas. I ask him to respond specifically on the issue of offensive language, including words such as "imbeciles" and "lunatics". We must deal with such language once and for all through one or more Bills. No legislation should remain on the Statute Book that uses such language.