Politician(s) lobbied: Barry Ward (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas
Intent: To reinforce the importance of robust enforcement of the Hate Offences legislation and to emphasise that LGBTQ+ and other communities impacted by hate are calling on government to honour its commitments in relation to modernising incitement to hatred laws.
Methods: Email
Politician(s) lobbied: Cynthia Ní Mhurchú (MEP), European Parliament
Intent: To explore opportunities for collaboration with MEP Ni Mhurchu to advance LGBTQ+ equality at an EU level.
Methods: Meeting
Politician(s) lobbied: Niall Collins (Minister of State), Department of Justice
Intent: To seek clarity on whether and when the Programme for Government commitment to modernise the 1989 Incitement to Hatred Act to make it fit-for-purpose, especially in the online age, will be delivered.
Methods: Meeting
Politician(s) lobbied: Jerry Buttimer (Minister of State), Department of Rural and Community Development; Roderic O'Gorman (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Máire Devine (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Barry Ward (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Ivana Bacik (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas
Intent: To secure support for Ireland to take a case under the European Treaties against the Hungarian government concerning the ban on Pride and other LGBTQ+ public events, and raising awareness of same.
Methods: Meeting
Details by Method
Meeting
Along with colleagues visiting from Brussels, we met with a number of politicians and officials over a two day period.
Politician(s) lobbied: Jim O'Callaghan (Minister), Department of Justice
Intent: CAHC submission to Department of Justice to provide observations for Post Enactment Report on the Criminal Justice (Hate Offences) Act 2024 to cover Act’s impact in first 12 months, outlining concerns on implementation and enforcement gaps and challenges, and recommendations, including robust implementation, targeted education and awareness, institutional accountability, victim-centred supports, and ongoing partnership between Government, statutory bodies, and civil society.
Methods: Submission
Politician(s) lobbied: Micheál Martin (Tánaiste and Minister), Department of the Taoiseach; Ivana Bacik (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Simon Harris (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Holly Cairns (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Holly Cairns (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Holly Cairns (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Roderic O'Gorman (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Mary Lou McDonald (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Paul Murphy (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Verona Murphy (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas
Intent: To convey to political leaders our concerns around rising hate and disinformation, especially in the online space.
Methods: Email
Politician(s) lobbied: Micheál Martin (An Taoiseach), Department of the Taoiseach; Mary Lou McDonald (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Lower House of the Oireachtas
Intent: To secure commitments, including legislative commitments, to advance key sectoral priorities
Methods: Meeting
Details by Method
Meeting
Taoiseach Micheal Martin and Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald were interviewed as part of the NXF annual Pride Series. Both interviews, conducted in June, covered key sectoral priorities, including hate related legislation, regulation of the online space, issues related to the Transgender community, and a ban on so-called 'conversion therapy'.
Politician(s) lobbied: Micheál Martin (Taoiseach), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Jim O'Callaghan (Minister), Department of Justice
Intent: To request an update and seek further information regarding Ireland's response to the European Commission Infringement Procedure against Ireland concerning the transposition of Council Framework Decision 2008/913/JHA on combating certain forms and expressions of racism and xenophobia, call for effective protections against hate crime and hate speech, and request a meeting in this regard.
Methods: Letter
Details by Method
Letter
As part of the Coalition Against Hate Crime, we requested an update and further information regarding Ireland's response to the European Commission Infringement Procedure against Ireland concerning the transposition of Council Framework Decision 2008/913/JHA on combating certain forms and expressions of racism and xenophobia, call for effective protections against hate crime and hate speech, and request a meeting in this regard.
Letter
As part of the Coalition Against Hate Crime, we wrote Minister Jim O'Callaghan to share our concern regarding media reports about the Department of Justice response to the European Commission infringement procedure against Ireland concerning the transposition of Council Framework Decision 2008/913/JHA, outline a number of calls on Government and the Department in relation to effective protections against hate crime and hate speech, and request a meeting in this regard.
Politician(s) lobbied: James Browne (Minister of State), Department of Justice
Intent: To highlight the need for updated hate speech legislation, a ban on conversion practices and improved Trans healthcare to be included in the Programme for Government.
Methods: Letter
Details by Method
Letter
Sent a letter to James Browne TD on 8 Jan 2025 to highlight the need for updated hate speech legislation, a ban on conversion practices and improved Trans healthcare to be included in the Programme for Government.
Politician(s) lobbied: Micheál Martin (Taoiseach), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Jim O'Callaghan (Minister), Department of Justice
Intent: To highlight the ongoing need for updated hate speech legislation
Methods: Letter
Details by Method
Letter
As part of the Coalition Against Hate Crime, sent a letter to the Taoiseach Micheal Martin and Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan on 31 Jan, 2025 to highlight the ongoing need for updated hate speech legislation.
