Tánaiste: ‘Religious freedom matters’

Ireland’s Tánaiste has expressed his support for religious liberty, both abroad and at home.

Welcoming a report on the state of religious freedom globally by Aid to the Church in Need, Simon Harris also spoke out against those seeking to side-line people of faith in Ireland.

Harris’s remarks came in an exchange with Peadar Tóibín TD during a debate in the Dáil.

‘Shocking reading’

Tóibín said the charity’s report made for “shocking reading”.

He continued: “It estimates that two thirds of the world’s population live in countries where practising their faith can cost them their livelihoods, their freedom and their lives.”

Thanking the Deputy for raising the issue, Harris said: “Religious freedom matters. It matters in our own country too.”

He added: “Sometimes, there is an effort in what is sometimes called the progressive agenda to try to exclude the conversation on this”.

Religious liberty

In June, however, the Irish Government promised to ensure a ‘conversion practices’ ban is operational before the end of 2026.

The Christian Institute’s Director Ciarán Kelly pointed to the experience of other countries, where attempts to legislate in this area were proving to be “fraught with legal difficulties and human rights challenges”.

He observed that the law already protects people from abuse and coercion, making it “difficult to see what else you can ban, except legitimate free speech on sexual ethics and gender ideology”.

The Government has also been urged to resist pressure to implement the European Union’s hate speech laws affecting “words, ideas and opinions”. Ken O’Flynn TD queried whether quoting Scripture would “become a punishable act” if the laws were introduced.