Taoiseach Leo Varadkar defends disregarding the results of the public consultation on "hate speech" laws, arguing that "very often" such consultations are hijacked by "campaigning groups" and are not "reflective of public opinion."#gript pic.twitter.com/X6EC0uF6NO

— gript (@griptmedia) May 4, 2023

The Irish government is proceeding with legislation to outlaw so-called “hate speech” – even after the vast majority of respondents to their public consultation expressed opposition to the idea, Gript can reveal. …

However, Gript has now individually analysed 3,597 submissions in total, both in the form of written submissions and surveys, and can reveal that the overwhelming majority of responses from private individuals expressed negative views towards the government’s policy.

A total of 73% of respondents to the government’s consultation – 2627 individuals total – did not support the government’s plan to ban hate speech. Many argued that the only valid restriction on free speech should be credible threats or incitements to violence, but stressed that simple offensive speech should not be criminalised.

[I’ll talk with Ben Scallan about this issue in an upcoming podcast. Cén Ghaeilge atá ar “Stay tuned”? I’ll look it up … — Ed]