Comments on: Dail to Vote on Blasphemy Law Tomorrow

By: Joe Harrison

Joe Harrison — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 00:55:10 +0000

wow, where does one begin to discuss a law that takes us back to the times of the inquisition and renders obsolete the idea of freedom of expresion just to name a couple of the principles that are the basis of any democracy. Mind boggling, isn’t it?

By: Rewanday

Rewanday — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 08:44:25 +0000

One of the problems with section 36/37 is that technically, if someone says something against anothers belief, they will protest, causing them both to be punishable. And when they go rooting through the dwelling, to find the “copies of the statement to which the offence related” they will no doubt be causing “outrage” to the victims. As such, they will have the right to go up against the law, since it is oppression of free speech. Removal of “copies of the statement” could certainly include things such as a bible, or a crucifix hanging on the living room wall. Removal of these items suggests that they are wrong, which under section 36 is punishable by a 100000/25000 euro fine. It’s a chain of bad events, and this law is no doubt going to lead to riots if it passes.

By: Colm Ryan

Colm Ryan — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 14:13:22 +0000

Thanks Tom.

Sticking plaster – they call legislation that includes phrases such as “authorising any member of the Garda Siochana to enter (if necessary by the use of reasonable force) at all reasonable times any premises (including a dwelling)”, “liable upon conviction on indictment to a fine not exceeding €100,000″ and “directing the seizure and removal by any member of the Garda Siochana of all copies of the statement to which the offence related” – sticking plaster.

Even a reduced fine of 25,000 euro is a lot to pay for Band-Aid.

What a mess.

By: Tom

Tom — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 10:50:03 +0000

Unfortunately, it seems like Colm Ryan is right. I have recived the following response from Paul Gogarty:

START QUOTE

It might be helpful if I clarify the information that Green Party Ministers and our parliamentary party were given in relation to this part of the legislation.

My understanding is that blasphemy part is being put in by the Minister responsible (Dermot Ahern) under advice from the Attorney-General, who said that it would not be possible to leave it out under the Constitution. Changing this would require a referendum, as you mentioned yourself.

Although it is fair to say that the AG’s advice is just qualified legal opinion, he is likely to be correct in this instance, so the question circles around such a referendum. A referendum on blasphemy and church and state relations, while long overdue, could be divisive and distracting from more pressing economic concerns. It would also take a considerable time to come up with a suitable wording, certainly not in time for the Lisbon + protocols referendum.

Secondly there is again an all-party committee working on reforming the constitution. If and when its recommendations are completed a package of measures could be put to the people of Ireland, including issues relating to church and State, something we strongly support as a Party. But the problem is that any such reform is a good time away and the blasphemy issue needs to be addressed right now according to the AG’s advice.

I am certain that the relevant legislation is not a retreat back to the days when Catholic bishops ruled the roost, nor is it a wooly sop to fundamentalists from minority religions in Ireland. If anything it could be seen as a sticking plaster. From what I understand it will be extremely difficult to prove any tort of blasphemy in a court of law, as commentary on religious issues will be permissable under ‘artistic’, ‘political’ or ’scientific’ grounds. So free speech should actually be enhanced or at least remain as is until we actually get around to an updated Bunreacht na hEireann.

END QUOTE

By: The Seklly Rocker

The Seklly Rocker — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 15:13:10 +0000

If this goes through, Ireland will loose about a kazillion coolness points.

By: Feardorcha

Feardorcha — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 13:58:24 +0000

How are the Greens likely to vote?
Wild guess – with the Government.

By: Colm Ryan

Colm Ryan — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 12:29:23 +0000

I have written to our Green TD’s, which I acknowledge is not enough on its own to stop this idiocy getting through. How are they likely to vote, does anyone know?

By: Stiofán

Stiofán — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 11:05:53 +0000

37. Seizure of copies of blasphemous statements

Does that allow them to come in an take “The Life of Brian” from my DVD collection?? Or is it exempt, because it used to be banned, but it was dropped?