Ireland senator also claims censoring views on gender identity necessary if those views create ‘discomfort.’
Ireland’s new online hate speech bill proposal will be “restricting freedom for the common good,” according to Irish Green Party Senator Pauline O’Reilly.
The Criminal Justice (Incitement to Violence or Hatred and Hate Offenses) Bill 2022 was introduced in the wake of widespread protests against a migrant stabbing spree on children in Dublin last week.
“If you think about it, all law, all legislation is about the restriction of freedom,” O’Reilly explained at the Seanad Éireann, the upper house of Ireland’s parliament, on Monday.
“That’s exactly what we’re doing here. We are restricting freedom, but we’re doing it for the common good.”
“We are restricting freedom for the common good”: Irish Green Party Senator Pauline O’Reilly says that her government’s hate speech bill is about “restricting freedom,” and censoring views on gender identity if those views create “discomfort.”#gript pic.twitter.com/H7QIT0QHmf
— gript (@griptmedia) June 15, 2023
“You will see throughout our constitution, yes you have rights, but they are restricted for the common good. Everything needs to be balanced.”
O’Reilly went on to say that the so-called hate speech bill will also shoehorn a provision to censor or punish those who don’t subscribe to or recognize “gender identity.”
“And if your views on other people’s identities go to make their lives unsafe, insecure and cause them such deep discomfort that they cannot live in peace, then I believe it is our job as legislators to restrict those freedoms for the common good,” she said.
Protests erupted in Dublin last week after an Algerian migrant stabbed several women and children in broad daylight.
But the mainstream media and Ireland politicians were quicker to blame those protesting against the stabbing, claiming they were inspired by “far-right hooligans” and “misinformation.”
Ireland’s Prime Minister Leo Varadkar vowed to crack down on “hate speech” following riots in protest of the migrant stabbing spree.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar says to the far-right protesters who rioted in Dublin last night ‘ask everyone you know what they fear most on our streets. They’re afraid of you. Afraid of your violence and your hate and how you blame others for your problems’.https://t.co/jSqOhnwgMh pic.twitter.com/5WxxSoT5Rw
— Sky News (@SkyNews) November 24, 2023
MMA fighter Conor McGregor is under investigation for “hate speech” after criticizing Ireland’s leaders and their mass migration policies following the migrant stabbing.
Innocent children ruthlessly stabbed by a mentally deranged non-national in Dublin, Ireland today. Our chief of police had this to say on the riots in the aftermath. Drew, not good enough. There is grave danger among us in Ireland that should never be here in the first place, and… https://t.co/ac6j1GIjXD
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) November 23, 2023
Blame anyone but themselves. Typical. Worthless you are Michaél. Worthless and spineless! Ryan Casey called you all out last week grieving the love of his life, stolen by pawn scum, and nothing but waffle from you all since. Zero action! Everything from our lax border with gravy… pic.twitter.com/cHrVvjXdtc
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) November 24, 2023
It appears McGregor may be the first casualty for Ireland’s new hate speech bill to create a chilling effect and set an example for those who speak up against Irish politicians.
Varadkar’s dishonest rhetoric against the protests were so over the top that even Tesla CEO Elon Musk said, “Ironically, the Irish PM hates the Irish people.”
Ironically, the Irish PM hates the Irish people
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 24, 2023
Attacking the foundations of democracy and free society under the guise of “the greater good” is typical behavior for tyrants.
She is against the very foundation of democracy…What we in the West always ctiticise dictators for….. pic.twitter.com/Pzj01sEgnh
— John003 (@john003) June 15, 2023