You are 'still free to offend other people'

McEntee on proposed anti-hate speech laws

- PAT FLANAGAN

THE controversial new anti-hate speech laws will not take away the right to offend others, the Justice Minister claimed yesterday.

Helen McEntee also said that someone who offends another person by misgendering them would not face criminalisation under the new Bill.

But it is still not clear how it will be decided what amounts to hate as there is no definition in the new legislation which means the public might not be aware they are committing a crime.

This means that it will be up to the gardai and the Director of Public Prosecutions to determine what hate is leading to claims that they will become the thought police.

Ms McEntee said: “This is not about policing people’s thoughts or opinions and genuinely held beliefs.

“There will still be an ability for people to discuss and to criticise protected characteristics.