Opinion

Elaine Byrne: It is uncomfortable to have to listen to those we disagree with, but that is democracy

The government’s controversial hate speech bill is not criminalising freedom of expression, despite disinformation to the contrary

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has been putting an emphasis on freedom of expression and tolerance for views we fundamentally disagree with. Picture: Rollingnews

The government intends to enact the Criminal Justice (Incitement to Violence or Hatred and Hate Offences) Bill 2022 early in the new year. Also known as the “Hate Bill”, the timing of the legislation is unfortunate for the coalition as it arrives bang centre in the age of the culture wars where wilful misinterpretation of the new law is the order of the day.

This is not an Irish initiative but rather Ireland is finally ...