Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The introduction of the Criminal Justice (Incitement to Violence or Hatred and Hate Offences) Bill 2022 meets an important commitment made in the programme for Government to update existing incitement to hatred laws which pre-date online and social media communications, and to introduce hate crime offences for the first time in Ireland. However, I acknowledge that a number of concerns have been raised in relation to the incitement to hatred or violence provisions, and I am considering appropriate amendments.

It is my intention to bring the Bill through the Houses in due course. This Bill is one of several important Justice Bills currently before the Oireachtas, and scheduling is a matter for the Oireachtas.