Brian Ó Domhnaill (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I wish to raise something that is connected to debate in general. We are a House that debates issues and airs our views freely on behalf of our electorate and the public. We are all democrats and I was alarmed this week to learn that, for the second time in a week, a democratic meeting in a Dublin hotel premises, being held by two women who are survivors of rape, was cancelled because a mob calling themselves, and disguised as, liberals berated the hotel with all sorts of messages and closed down freedom of expression and freedom of speech. We live in a democracy and a major issue will be facing the electorate in a referendum next May or June, according to the Taoiseach. The referendum should go before the people in a manner that is acceptable to everyone. The debate should be considered, all views need to be taken into consideration and no one's opinion should be greater than another's. Unfortunately, freedom of speech and expression is being blocked by a tiny minority in society. The population of Ireland is losing out as a large number of people will not get to hear the opinions as a result.

We fought for democracy and freedom of speech is enshrined in our Constitution under Article 40.6.1°. Stalin was in favour of freedom of speech but only if he agreed with the views being expressed. Is that where we are going? If people on both sides of any argument, including on the eight amendment, are really in favour of freedom of speech they have to tolerate the argument they despise - otherwise they are not in favour of freedom of speech. It galls me that a tiny mob in our society here in Dublin is blocking freedom of expression and freedom of opinion to the extent that these women, who are survivors of rape, have to hold a public demonstration outside a hotel in a dark car park tonight because the hotel they had booked is refusing to host them. That is not the sort of society we should be promoting and they are not the values any democracy should stand for. If we are going to have a debate on any issue, including the eighth amendment, let us hear all the views equally.