Trump VP pick JD Vance hits out at Ireland's proposed 'authoritarian' hate speech laws

JD Vance said he wrote to the Irish ambassador to the US expressing his concern over Ireland's proposed legislation on hate speech. Picture: AP /Julia Nikhinson

Donald Trump's vice-presidential running mate's stinging criticism of Ireland's proposed hate laws has prompted calls here for the legislation to be passed as soon as possible so as not to "import a culture war".

Ohio senator and vice-presidential hopeful JD Vance said in a press release he had written to the Irish ambassador to the US expressing his concern over “authoritarian legislation pending in the Irish parliament that would severely undermine freedom of speech in the country”.