Clare TD Michael McNamara has said that he sees how Ireland’s proposed hate speech laws “could be open to abuse”.

The controversial legislation currently making its way through the Oireachtas would make it an offence for a person to “prepare or possess” material on their computer that could incite ‘hatred’ against a person of protected characteristics.

Speaking to The Irish Catholic newspaper, Mr McNamara said “If it was just a diary, or you’re noting down your own thoughts, if they are directed at one of the groups that are protected by this act, it could be considered hate speech and then you could be prosecuted under it.

“I have a problem with that…I don’t necessarily agree with the views that people might have, but I think prosecuting them for merely having the views is a step that I would be uncomfortable with and it seems to me from having listened to the debate that that is a possibility, albeit perhaps an unintended possibility, but nevertheless a possibility and that’s indicative to me of how broadly drafted it is and that’s why I’m concerned,” he said.