Incitement to hatred law
Senator McFadden condemned racist abuse directed at the Ryan family and said the 30-year-old incitement to hatred law needs updating. After supportive interjections, she asked for the Minister for Justice to come to the House for a debate on the issue.
The Prohibition of Incitement to Hatred Act 1989 is 30 years old. The Ryan family from County Meath, who appeared in a recent Lidl advertisement, have left this country as a result of receiving death threats. The Ryans are what the media like to call a mixed race couple and they have a beautiful baby boy. I did not realise they were mixed race until I read that they were in the media because when I saw the advertisement I did not see any difference in the couple. Unfortunately, they have had a terrible time and have left the country. As I have said previously, there is no place in this country for that kind of abuse of anybody.
Comment on this
It is totally unacceptable in a civilised society. People should feel safe and protected in their own country and the law should provide that safety and protection. I ask the Leader to use his good office to encourage the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Flanagan, who loves coming to this House, to come here to discuss the Prohibition of Incitement to Hatred Act. The legislation is too old and needs to be updated. We should debate the issue in this House.
