Vol. 459 No. 8
113 Kathleen Lynch asked the Minister for Justice the proposals, if any, she has to review the operation of the Prohibition of Incitement to Hatred Act, 1989, in conjunction with the introduction of proposed equal status legislation; her views on whether the low level of prosecutions under the Act does not reflect the number of reported incidents of incitement to hatred; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18270/95]
I would refer the Deputy to my replies to Parliamentary Questions No. 18 of 9 November 1995, Official Report, volume 458, column 78 and No. 139 of 12 December 1995. The Prohibition of Incitement to Hatred Act, 1989 introduced criminal sanctions for persons found guilty of inciting hatred against a group of persons in this country or elsewhere on account of their belonging to any of the categories of persons protected by the legislation. It is one of the most comprehensive pieces of legislation of its type in Europe. The proposed equal status legislation, being prepared by the Minister for Equality and Law Reform, will provide civil remedies where discrimination is shown to have taken place in accordance with the terms of the proposed legislation.
If the Deputy has any suggestions for changes to the Prohibition of Incitement to Hatred Act she might make them known to me or any Department so that they can be considered.
