Ivana Bacik (Labour) | Oireachtas source

As we hear concerning news about rising Covid-19 transmission rates in the North and here and as we digest the news that Mr. Emmanuel Macron has tested positive, I thought it would be nice to share the positive news that the Taoiseach has confirmed to my colleague, Deputy Alan Kelly, in the Dáil that vaccinations will start over the period 27 to 29 December. Colleagues will have heard the President of the European Commission, Ms Ursula von der Leyen making an EU-wide commitment on that, which is very positive. It is important that all of us as public representatives take the lead in encouraging uptake of the vaccine when it becomes available and in countering any misinformation about vaccinations. That is some positivity in the midst of what is rather grim news in this country and elsewhere on Covid transmission rates.

I welcome the publication today of a report on hate crime legislation by the Minister for Justice, Deputy McEntee, and I ask the Leader to schedule a debate on same in the new year. I know that we debated a related Private Member's Bill in the House recently but the Minister's report would be extremely informative in setting a context for us to

debate the sort of legislation that we would like to see introduced. We need to ensure that there is an adequate balance and respect for free speech, of course, and that the legislation would be effective in a way that the Prohibition of Incitement To Hatred Act 1989 has not been. Indeed, any new legislation must go beyond that Act in providing that hate motivation in assaults be considered an aggravating factor. I look forward to that debate and ask the Leader to provide time for it early in the new year.