Vol. 483 No. 6
408 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the plans, if any, he has to review the Prohibition to Incitement to Hatred Act, 1988, in view of comments of a hateful nature stated by a Member of Dáil Éireann. [21389/97]
The Prohibition of Incitement to Hatred Act, 1989, which 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, is very comprehensive legislation. A joint action concerning action to combat racism and xenophobia was adopted by the EU on 15 July 1996 and this is being examined in my Department to see if it has any implications for the 1989 Act. Other than that, I have no plans at present to review the legislation in question.
411 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the plans, if any, he has to review the Domestic Violence Act, 1996, in view of constitutional concerns made by some of those who have been accused that they are being so accused without being allowed to make an adequate defence. [21394/97]
I have no proposals to amend the Domestic Violence Act, 1996, which came into effect as recently as 27 March 1996. However, the law in this important area regarding the protection of persons from violence in the home is being kept under review.
