Aisling Dolan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister, Deputy McEntee, and congratulate her and her family. It is great to have her here. She is present to discuss the Criminal Justice (Incitement to Violence or Hatred and Hate Offences) Bill 2022. The Minister is aware – we can also see that here today - words have power. As the Minister has noted very clearly, hate crimes are on the increase. The Garda stated very clearly that there has been an increase of 29%. The Minister even highlighted that the most common of those crimes were against race, sexual orientation, and nationality; so it is a fact that in our society there are crimes against individuals because of where they are from, how they live, the colour of their skin and that those crimes are being perpetrated today in Ireland, in our democracy, in our Republic. It is necessary for the Government to put legislation in place. We must protect the most vulnerable in society and make sure that people do not have their freedoms taken away, but that they also have the freedom to live as they wish. People must have the freedom to live in Ireland and not be fearful when they walk outside their door about where they decide to socialise, where they decide to visit and how they decide to practice their religion. People should be free to do that in our society but currently, from the reports that the Minister has given us, that is not the case. Likewise, from what we hear ourselves, that is not the case. I have many friends and I want them to know that they can live here in Ireland free from the type of crimes that are driven and motivated by people who dislike and hate them because of who they are, where they come from, the colour of their skin, and for all those other identity characteristics that the Minister highlighted as the reasons for this Bill.

I have listened carefully to the debate here today. The Minister will be aware that there is a lot of debate and discussion about the importance of freedom of expression and how we guarantee it in our society, but it cannot be that we have it at no cost. There has to be a balance. It cannot be the case that we in Ireland-----Excuse me.