Blasphemy offence may be removed next year

Ó Ríordáin ‘expects’ referendum on blasphemy this year

Junior justice minister Aodhán Ó Ríordáin has said it was his “expectation” that the promised referendum to remove the offence of blasphemy from the Constitution would take place in the second half of this year.

This appears to differ with statements from the Department of Justice which, when asked by the Irish Examiner, declined to say when it would be held other than it would take place at “an appropriate date” once any further consultations and the drafting of necessary legislation was completed.