Blasphemy – the next bonanza for barristers?

HOW on earth did something so daft as the blasphemy provisions of the Defamation Bill ever make it out of the Oireachtas?

In a classic case of fiddling while Rome burns, the Government has brought forward one of the most bizarre pieces of legislation ever to be slapped on the president’s desk.

Since it can be argued that the teachings of any one religion are blasphemous and insulting to some or all of the other religions, maybe the real intention of the Government was to provide work for the herd of barristers who will soon find themselves unemployed as the tribunals reach their slow conclusions and the corrupt politicians are given gentle slaps on the wrist.