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”.

His letter, posted in December, referenced attributing crime to increased immigration, and to affirming “there are only two genders”, and whether this would fall under the legislation.

“Given that President de Valera himself was imprisoned for sedition in 1918, I urge your government to consider the impact of this legislation on Ireland’s proud tradition of free speech,” Mr Vance said.

He said the proposals would "criminalise speech that causes too much ‘discomfort’ for people". 

If this were happening in Russia or China or many other nations we would call it totalitarian and threaten economic sanctions.

Mr Vance reposted a copy of the letter and it was shared by an Irish-based far-right agitator.

The legislation would see the criminalisation of “intentional or reckless” communication or behaviour that is likely to incite violence or hatred against people on grounds such as race, religion, or sexual orientation.

Justice Minister Helen McEntee has said it will balance protecting the right to free speech with the protection of people from dangerous hate speech.

Multiple organisations have urged the Government to press ahead with the legislation, but opposition has also gained momentum, including from some Government TDs. Although it previously supported the legislation, Sinn Féin has called for it to be scrapped.

Irish Council for Civil Liberties executive director Liam Herrick said his and other organisations have called on the Government to pass the legislation urgently.

“We cannot allow the experiences of communities targeted by hate crime and extreme hate speech to be minimised to facilitate attempts to import and manufacture a ‘culture war’,” he said.

“This legislation requires a delicate exercise in balancing different rights — including the right to freedom of expression and the right to equality and non-discrimination.

“Constructive debate is welcome, but we must differentiate such debate from attempts to misconstrue or distort the nature and purpose of this legislation and to use the debate as an opportunity to attack the same communities this legislation seeks to protect.” 

Fiona Hurley, chief executive of migrant rights organisation Nasc, said it had been “deeply concerning to watch political leaders continue to delay” this legislation.

“The sensationalist commentary around this legislation and political point-scoring over the last six months in particular is something to be ashamed of, particularly in light of the increasing violence at buildings earmarked as asylum-seeker accommodations and the calls to action by far-right agitators to target and dehumanise people from minority populations,” she said.

LGBT youth organisation BelongTo said hate crime legislation must be passed as a matter of urgency.

“Figures published this year from An Garda Síochána show an increase in the number of reported hate crimes and hate-related incidents for the second year in a row,” it said. 

Sexual orientation has remained one of the most commonly recorded forms of targeting over the past three years.

“Hate crimes are message crimes — a single act can cause a ripple of fear throughout the victim’s community.

“In a time of rising hate both here and internationally, we need to stand firm in Ireland on our values of inclusiveness and ensure all communities are safe and protected from harm.”