Taoiseach Simon Harris and Roderic O’Gorman said they still want to see controversial ‘hate crime’ legislation being passed by the Oireachtas before the Government’s term comes to an end, despite the looming prospect of a General Election as soon as November.

“I want to see hate crime legislation passed in the lifetime of this Government,” said Mr Harris, adding that Minister for Justice Helen McEntee would be bringing forward amendments to the legislation in the autumn term.

Mr Harris said some amendments had to be made to the Bill. “There were some issues raised around making sure that nothing in the hate speech section would interact or override the absolute importance and vital nature of freedom of speech,” he said.

Mr O’Gorman said Ireland was one of the few countries in Europe that had not legislated for hate crimes. He said the Bill had been discussed by the three party leaders in Government and he was eager to see it progressed as quickly as possible.

The bill in its present form is regarded as one of the most draconian anywhere.