David Norris (Independent)

I echo the sentiments of Senator O'Toole. This is a significant move on criminal, seditious and obscene libel. Somebody raised the question of whether blasphemy should be also looked at in terms of the Constitution. It should. I remember a case 20 or more years ago in which Gay News was successfully sued by Mrs. Whitehouse. What was used in that case was a parallel offence of blasphemous libel. That nearly sank the newspaper, which would have been regrettable.

On the question of blasphemy, my view is that God, assuming he or she exists, is quite able to sustain slings and arrows of mere mortals in terms of his or her reputation. What people are usually doing when talking about blasphemy is protecting their own feelings. It is understandable that people have strong feelings, but this is covered by incitement to hatred. A number of columnists in one of the main daily newspapers regularly incite hatred against particular religious groups, particularly Muslims, but this can be covered by incitement to hatred. Like Senator O'Toole, I welcome what the Minister has done.