Senator Sharon Keogan - Full Rebuttal of Proposed 'Hate Speech' Bill

I will begin by saying there is no great secret about my opposition to this Bill but more than that, it is no secret that the vast majority of people in Ireland are opposed to it. We know that because the Government's own public consultation was met with 73% of respondents opposing the Government's plans to crack down on what can and cannot be said in this country without fear of prosecution. Most people would think that such overwhelming opposition to Government plans would result in them being changed or scrapped, but most people have not been paying attention. They know that in 2023, the Government knows best and the uneducated Irish public must be led by the nose and taught what to think lest their empty heads be filled with insidious far-right propaganda, such as perhaps Ireland has an upper limit on how many tens of thousands of people it can import. As such, the Government deigned to ignore the results of its consultation and ploughed ahead, making a prophet out of the author of one submission which predicted it does not matter what anyone says; the Government will do what it wants regardless.
The philosophy behind this bizarre behaviour is quite clearly that of an avowed nanny state. The members of our Cabinet and our senior civil servants do not view themselves as servants of the public at all but rather as enlightened and elevated individuals with a quasi-divine mandate to decide exactly how each and every Irish person lives his or her life.
In private recognition of their inability or unwillingness to solve the real and pressing issues facing Ireland, namely, housing and immigration, both of which are issues of its own making, the Government instead busies itself by mircomanaging the day-to-day experiences of ordinary people, deciding what cars they are allowed to drive, what drinks they are allowed to buy, what fuels they are allowed to use, what their children learn in school and now what ideas and opinions are allowed to be shared or what beliefs may be held or expressed in private. In this way, we see clearly the anarcho-tyranny described by Samuel Francis in the 1990s, which is the combination of oppressive Government power against the innocent and the law-abiding and the simultaneous grotesque paralysis of the ability or the will to use that same power to carry out basic public duties such as protection or public safety.
This proposed legislation is so broad in its scope and casts a prosecutorial net so wide that upon its passing, no citizens will ever be entirely sure if they are free to say what they wish to. The law contained within this legislation is so ambiguous and uncertain that one cannot but think that the intent is to create exactly this sort of hazy legal environment which forces individuals to err on the side of caution by self-censoring as they will never know what utterance of theirs might be reported as hateful.
Most laws are painstakingly drafted so as to isolate specific actions and single them out for criminal prosecution, taking great care not to mistakenly punish benign activities. This law does almost the opposite. It is hard to view the goal of this legislation as anything but the pursual of a nationwide chilling effect on freedom of speech and freedom of expression. If the Government wanted a legal basis to use its monopoly or force to punish anyone who would speak out against the prevailing narrative, it is hard to imagine what it would do differently to this.
In recent times, the Government has become fond of playing a certain card by saying it is sorry but its hands are tied and it must do something because of the EU. That is a ready-made excuse to wriggle out of accountability for everything from immigration to energy taxes. However, in this circumstance, the EU Council framework decision 2008/913/JHA does not go nearly as far as the Irish Government has with this Bill. The Council decision only targeted certain forms of expression of blatant racism and xenophobia. It was this Government that decided to add a nonsensical and circular definition of gender and to choose not to list "sex" as a protected characteristic, in favour of the meaningless phrase "sex characteristics".
This is just the tip of the iceberg of bad law that comprises this legislation. I have drafted over 80 amendments to try to put some semblance of sanity and respect for civil rights into the Bill. The definition of hatred is circular. The definition of gender is nonsensical word salad. The very premise of the Bill is that some persons are worthy of protections and others are not, hence the exclusive list of protected characteristics. Someone who happens to be hated for something to do with their person that is not on the list is fresh out of luck; the characteristic for which they are being persecuted is not in vogue.
FULL TEXT ON SHARONKEOGAN.IE

[@allanbehn2918]

She is an example of what a politician should be. Fabulous woman.

[@hugolloyd940]

Yes indeed

[@marybrady7661]

You don't know her

[@sprittel]

The only hate I see is the current governments hatred and contempt for its native Irish citizens.

[@davidflaneau2810]

This is a real emergency, more people need to hear this. Thank you, Senator.

[@daffymuck295]

Thank you for your voice and standing up to this once beautiful eire 🇮🇪

[@desertlion5215]

As a retired police officer, I find this law absolutely frightening. 1930s Germany comes to mind.

[@gillianstapleton8566]

Totally agree .. they have learnt nothing from history even if they aren’t planning to use it in that way it opens up the potential for its abuse in the future. You can’t help but think there is corrupt evil behind this law. No one in their right mind would condone such a law if they had even one brain cell. The 3 amigos aren’t stupid people so all that’s left is evil & corrupt.

[@sineadcasper3729]

Absolutely 💯

[@TheCraigy83]

you of all people know you have the illusion of control, few thousand lads can shut down an entire cities cop shops .

[@fionawhiteford2128]

im terrified of whats in store for our freedoms of thought and speech

[@andrewdelaney1448]

Pig

[@user-sm9jy2jm1i]

This is absolutely scandalous. It cannot and must not be allowed to pass.

[@deesee6009]

Your words and virulent expression will not be forgotten senator - thank you.

[@grahambyrne7868]

Excellent speech Sharon ❤

[@jeanmalone1323]

Agree with Sharon

[@b.o.b.1841]

I oppose this bill, horrible people thought of this, they want to control as much as possible. I hate this government so much.

[@mongeyjames9170]

She has integrity. Well done senator I dont like the 1984 world either.

[@kylemenos]

This is how all politicians should speak. Honestly, directly and with a motive to make change for the betterment of Ireland.

[@NGSxXPuffDaddyXx]

if only there were more like you thank you senator

[@michaelosullivan2305]

🧐Senator keogan 👍👌👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏thank you. 🤔True leader 🇮🇪

[@seanconroy7222]

Its worst than a nanny state, it's absolute fascism.

[@williamtyndale1402]

An ominous iron curtain is descending over Ireland and much of the Western World

[@anthonyduffy1278]

Lights are going out across Europe. God Save Ireland!

[@liamcoffey1118]

Well said Sharon we need more Courageous people like you

[@benkoryak961]

It's unimaginable that in a modern country that we see a basic human right such as freedom of speech being trampled. Read your history this exactly what happened in germany in the 30s, which precluded one of the worst atrocities in history. Don't let your country slide into tyranny. Stay strong Irelan

[@grlfcgombeenhunter2897]

It’s a bloody disgrace what there doing to my country. We have been thru to much for us to go out like this.

[@MrResearcher122]

Too* just add it. It will make the comment more accurate and beautiful

[@grlfcgombeenhunter2897]

@@MrResearcher122 it’s a comment section bud relax.

[@britishpatriot7386]

​@grlfcgombeenhunter2897 Spell checkers never ever make mistakes apparently.

[@grlfcgombeenhunter2897]

@@britishpatriot7386 amazing isn’t had no problem with (thru) doh 😂.

[@tomkeaney3121]

Unbelievable, puts 1984 in the minor leagues.

[@royroyston8480]

Well said Senator Keogan, the people are behind you!

[@RufusToots420]

Keep up the good work senator, you are one of very few who actually speak on our behalf!

[@hugolloyd940]

Yes I agree with you

[@antaibhshaglas3737]

The "ilumminati"in leinster house wont be as quick to snigger at her now.After the kick in the arse they got from the Irish People

[@hugolloyd940]

Senator Sharon fairplay to you that's the best politically speech I've heard in a long long time, I thank you senator Sharon.

[@EileenStafford-sc3hn]

❤

[@jzburns1990]

Sharon - superb. Fantastic.

[@ardri31]

This a woman, a good irish woman, which means she is of the highest calibre. Subscribed 👍

[@RufusToots420]

100%

[@themccarthyplan2020]

A woman worth listening to. She doesn't fully understand what's going on or have any real solutions for the sake of our Irish People and nation or any nation of the world but she is moving forward. Keep her moving 🕊️❤️🙏☘️

[@baird5682]

I as a non-irish feel offended by this bill. Can we burn it now?

[@openureyes]

Ireland 🇮🇪 is full ,and free speech, and no no vote do these politicians get it yet

[@TheBreenGene]

Finally someone with common sense

[@jimvermeer9451]

Gestapo laws !!!!!

[@Bistonounou123]

Agreed - this bill can’t happen.

[@baroquefiddle4790]

Incredible, thank you sincerely Sharon from a very concerned Cork mother

[@nickykelleher8547]

Al least there is one normal person in politics.

[@johnmurnaghan1193]

Well done

[@thelolguy007]

Fair play to you Sharon, this bill needs to be binned. However, I feel there isn’t enough public uproar and opposition and so will be passed. It will be disastrous 🤦‍♂️

[@ItaHayes]

Now we’ve voted down the Referendum- share this and scare them again,

[@novo611]

Do not insult irish people. Do you think we dont know our history. How dare they treat irish people in this repulsive way your acts against us are criminal. And you will be held accountable . This lady is at least telling the truth.

[@sarahmurphy-nf4yl]

Senator Sharon Keogan and Senator Michael McDowell MUST FORM A GOVERNMENT TO LEAD IRELAND. ONLY SENSIBLE MINDS CAPABLE OF LEADING IRELAND 👏 👏 👏

[@ME24689]

And Maria Steen!

[@Vesper.-zh6sj]

Ireland is becoming a surveilance police state ..thats no exageration ..

[@conkav2257]

PLEASE, PLEASE, 🙏 EVERYONE POST THIS LADY ON WHATEVER SOCIAL MEDIA YOU CAN ☘

[@user-sm9jy2jm1i]

Start asking anyone and everyone to organise a protest against the bill.

[@conkav2257]

I have reached out to our Irish American friends on this matter, and intend to keep them up to date on, The Irish Government's Policies to make Little Ireland into a DICTARSHIP.

[@RufusToots420]

Warn them about the treachery of Sin Fein: they hate the Irish, prefer Islam, mass illegal immigration of military aged men to hotels while Irish sleep on the streets, trans men's rights over women's rights, housing the world before the Irish etc. Not one cent to Sin Fein. They are against the Irish people.

[@mickgrant4262]

The Black and Tans would loved this Law so would Stalin

[@RufusToots420]

And Satan 😂

[@tomsmith-tu7dl]

Fair play Senator 👏👏👏

[@jamesdanaher3041]

so well said ...maybe there is some hope for freedom in this country

[@biddyshea2095]

Well said !! 👍

[@timfallon8226]

Has hating the government been banned?

[@truthfortots3288]

Hating anything has been banned, as well as fearing anything (phobia).

[@marymcneill9914]

Thank you senator Keogan for being the voice of reason and logic. I would disagree with you however, when you refer to the government as a "nanny state" it's more a dictatorship

[@hughboyle7251]

Hate speach. Leo " the Irish are too white "

[@WESDEANEMARTIN]

No such thing as hate speech. Just speech these arsebandits hate...

[@terenceblake777]

These governments will be stopped abruptly , nothing but wickedness

[@patman142]

No doubt the Gardai will devote huge resources to policing this along with any crimes that affect tourists

[@alanwann9318]

"Animal farm "comes to mind thinking of this

[@nogorman560]

Vote them all out start with the MEPs VOTE IN NEW WHO WILL PROTECT INDIGENOUS IRISH

[@cbisme6414]

Where are all the REPRESENTATIVES of THE PEOPLE? Look at all those empty seats in Parliament!!!

[@truthfortots3288]

Fascism.

[@Aindriuh]

"To learn who rules over you, simply find out who you are not allowed to criticize" ~Voltaire “I disagree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it” ~ Evelyn Beatrice Hall of what she thought Voltaire was thinking "All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing". ~ Edmund Burke, Irish Philosopher.

[@user-re7wt2yc8b]

We got on very well for years and years and years without a hate bill. Leave us alone and we will carry on quite happily. What has happened to/in ireland to be even discussing needing a hate bill..... we are NOT BEING LISTENED TO OR HEARD.

[@rudstoncullen3410]

Why are they wasting time and energy on such legislation? Do they want to label anti-Zionist speech as "hate speech" ??? (just as in the USA). Get on with dealing with real issues like the housing crisis please (Irish citizen)

[@tonymulreid6347]

Thank you senator.

[@joemaloney8911]

This needs a referendum ..

[@user-sq4ml8yo6x]

Ireland 🇮🇪 is in serious danger we need to do something. God help us

[@eltinmccarthy2469]

Shows how in touch are Brussels Viceroys are.

[@sineadcasper3729]

We will not lower our Voice !!!

[@interestedpart2650]

Thank you for speaking up Senator Keoghan! ❤

[@shayhamilton4086]

"Lower threshold of Recklessness" is a very low bar she is absolutely right!

[@fluentcafe1052]

Well done 👍🏻

[@ChefEarthenware]

Very worrying.

[@jacquelinegosnell5340]

Well done again Senator for you intelligent straightforward sanity in a government so out of touch with the Irish ppl thank god for you keep going ❤

[@johnboyzan3304]

This bill is shockingly oppressive for a prosperous first world country

[@eamon-fitzpatrick]

Thank you

[@khiggins8733]

Great work …..fantastic !

[@Lauram1948]

Thank you Senator. 👏👏👏👏👏

[@liebasolar9828]

This woman is exceptional!!! And RIGHT!!!!! It behooves everyone to read the dystopia novels Brave New World by Aldous Huxley written in 1932, 1984 written by George Orwell, published in 1949, It Can't Happen Here, by Sinclair Lewis, written in 1935, and finally Farenheight 451 by Ray Bradbury in 1953. The past predictions for tge future are here now

[@sarahmurphy-nf4yl]

Helen McEntee is of BAD CHARACTER, in my opinion.

[@ME24689]

Her father would turn in his grave if he knew what she was doing to children re Indoctrination with gender ideology in schools, and setting them up for heartache and longterm medicalisation and bodiky Mutilation for life, and then shutting the concerned citizens up by calling it "hate speech" when they try to speak out against it... 🙄 🚩 🚩 🚩

[@Vesper.-zh6sj]

Spread this to everyone everywhere ..

[@bodgitscarper5353]

Question: is it no despicable of how many ministers are not attending, listening to these public concerns. After all it is the public who you are supposed to represent and serve. There are Irish public rights and freedoms at stake here. These rights and freedoms are originally what the government cannot do against its citizens. Wake up Ireland, this was allowed to happened, when you voted to stay in the EU, This Irish Government gave away Irish Sovereignty (Irish rights and freedoms) when it joined the EU. Just wondering, if the Irish Government explained this to the Irish Citizens. Just wondering if it is even legal.

[@russianbot1420]

The NGOs are in charge.

[@EileenStafford-sc3hn]

Well done Sharon thank you for your voice for the people. We need people ❤️ like you

[@WESDEANEMARTIN]

There needs to be more people out in the streets, otherwise they'll come and take it all from you. Will you let them?...

[@ardri31]

Out in the streets doing what? Protesting and begging the government to stop? No thanks, they won't listen.

[@matthewmurphy3273]

Great world, thankyou

[@maryshannon4444]

Well said.

[@kristaclay6799]

Brilliant speech.👏👏👏. We need more people like this lady in power. Bring back common sense. ❤

[@grose2272]

Thank you Sharon ❤ Not in our country!

[@robertrawlyss7373]

Go Sharon!

[@eltinmccarthy2469]

We are all equal in Ireland except the protected. If our legal system has such belief that a person with 100 plus previous will leave jail and go forth with the best intentions why do they assume that the general public will commit hate crimes why isnt this good faith extended to the people of the most charitable country in the world?

[@SpotgGaff-pg3ho]

🤓🤓👍👍🔥🔥🔥

[@HelenWilson-bm1vv]

This happening in Scotland too.Everyone stand and oppose it.

[@conorsheehan9929]

I wish we had aTaoiseach like Sharon Keogan !

[@maritabrid]

Brilliant response!

[@ihc909]

Erudite and elegant

[@davidmcgroarty5907]

well done Sharon, urself and Mattie credit to this country along with some other independents..

[@jimgilmore7391]

I fully agree with you Sharon!

[@Dpwilson420]

well said!!!

[@SuperDonegal1]

Spot on

[@BIKERJIM]

Well said!

[@vibrantscolor]

Great speaker well done. 💚💚💚💚

[@user-in3hp6ow2h]

Bean maith ! I will not be told what I can say or think.

[@bernicescanlon6137]

Fantastic lady 👏thank you

[@casteretpollux]

I'm anti racist - I'm against the Ukraine war, pro social housing, voted NoNo, support public services and I was one on the 73% who opposed this Bill.

[@brolovski_brodog]

👍🏻