I have done that stephen. Took me some time to copy and paste all those emails but if my voice helps that is great.
I list them below so if anyone wants to grab it and send on an email to them all - this should work.
Elizabeth Byrne - Below also is what I sent. Hope thats ok.
To Members of the Senate March 2024
I would ask as a Citizen of this Island that you consider the repercussions to me and my Family and my fellow citizens if you do not discard this hate speech bill.
I would ask that you bin the bill.
We already have adequate protections in our laws against hate. If you cannot repulse it then take it to a referendum and ask the people themselves.
I have a right to have my voice heard and to feel free to voice my opinions in a healthy and democratic society that our ancestors fought, imprisoned and died for.
I have worked all my life, paying taxes and supporting the running of this state, entrusting it to be ran in a democratic way and not to cause harm to any of our citizens or erode their rights to live freely, to speak freely. I have reared three children into tax paying adults. I come from a family of 12. I can assure you they all feel the same way - without any doubt.
I voted to keep the Seanad as at the time I knew it was the stepping stone between the government and the president and could review and fight for the people of this island to ensure we are run in a fair and democratic way. I ask you now to stand up for your people and BIN THE BILL.
I am a busy person and do not wish to involve myself in politics - I expect our government and the elected TD's and Seanad and President to run our country in a fair and democrat way that is the benefit of all its tax paying citizens. That is why we hold elections. To change our very fabric of being so radically is undemocratic.
I am not a barrister or well versed in the law. I am not a law breaker and do my best to follow the normal society rules a country that is free and democratic are run by.
Great to have all those emails together like that, thanks Elizabeth. I'll save them and your letter is good too. I would make it shorter, because obviously, they won't read it anyway, some secretary might read the first paragraph
In the video linked in the article, the Seanad are requesting individual or unique emails. So feel free to choose your own words but reference this petition by name and explain in detail your reasons for opposing it
I have just emailed the senator mentioned at the top of this update (didn't write his name as i'm unsure if my comment would be deleted by the platform). I also emailed the pre**d*nt some time ago. Many thanks for the work and the update - i am truly behind you and support what you've done, and am eternally grateful. I have been so through-the-mill of a million concerns about this bill, it just cannot go ahead. Please keep updating for any further support needed.
i also sent a second email to the whole list :) - but i reckon emails with that many senators cc'd will go into a spam folder and will never reach them to be seen, so i would suggest people to send two emails - one to just one senator and the second to the whole list if they want, just in case.
Now i will likely get spammed all night with automatic responses.. but worth it :) Fingers crossed.
Thanks Stephen. How dare we not do as you tell us. I prefer a monarchy and TRUE Irish King under GOD myself, our liberal democracy is obviously an oligarchy. None of this circus is homegrown but of a foreign source, we are being conquered. We need to alert our giant diaspora and bring them home. Ireland, when on the front foot, nothing compares to you.
I have had one reply - and I have replied back - see below
Senator Annie Hoey
Thank you for your reply - I think its probably a generic reply to all citizens regarding the hate speech bill.
I do not feel you have carried out due diligence in your study having only used University of Limerick for your survey. Ask all of ireland - have a referendum. 1000 people at a third level institution should not have the power to bring laws into action that could take away the rights of all of the Irish Citizens.
Please remember in your amendments to protect the rights of Women, mothers, daughters, aunts - we too have a right to protections against hate which has been eroded with this current government. I want my daughter, my nieces and my grandchildren to be able to walk safely around our country and to have freedom of speech because without it we are a communist society. Also, to feel safe while using facilities outside their homes.
Ask the people - the citizens of Ireland - if you believe strongly in it - then have a referendum.
Thank you for contacting me regarding the Criminal Justice (Incitement to Violence or Hatred and Hate Offences) Bill 2022. It is a complex and important piece of legislation.
We have been campaigning for 10 years for the introduction for legislation to protect people who are victims of ongoing hatred, harassment, bigotry, and racist violence. We have worked with many organisations including the Coalition Against Hate Crime Ireland to introduce appropriate legislation. The Bill covers not just hate speech but also physical violence against people.
If you are a member of a vulnerable minority, hate is particularly troubling and damaging and we want to have the right balance between freedom of speech and freedom to live without fear and intimidation in a Citizen’s Republic. We also strongly believe that people should not be prematurely or unnecessarily criminalised as that would be counterproductive.
This bill is of incredible importance due to recent homophobic attacks and a rise in homophobia, transphobia and racism. Last year there was a 29% increase in Garda recorded hate crime and incidents. The Irish Network Against Racism (INAR) received 600 reports of racist incidents. The bill seeks to protect minorities and those with protected characteristics from targeted attacks and inciting violence against any particular group.
A recent study conducted by members of the European Centre for the Study of Hate at the University of Limerick surveyed a representative sample of 1,000 people in Ireland and found that more than two-thirds were in favour of hate crime legislation. Over 70% were in favour of the following groups being protected by legislation - older people, disabled people, gay, lesbian and bisexual people, Black people, Jewish people, Muslims and Travellers. 82% favoured the protection of transgender people in hate crime legislation.
We are currently looking at submitting amendments around certain aspects of the bill, including providing a clearer definition of ‘hate’ and ‘hatred’. However, it is important that this legislation is passed to protect certain minorities from hatred, assault and targeted attacks.
Thank you for contacting us on this important issue and we will continue to work to improve the legislation and to build a better society.
Yea, I was a bit insulted by her email. ‘If you are a member of a protected group then you would understand’ tone more or less.. load of crap.
Isn’t it a member of a protected group trying to have a voice and be heard, that her bill is going to shut down and convict first.
God forbid we offend or expose someone else’s bs narrative.
I hate people like that manipulating the needs of others, and misrepresenting surveys to sneak a bill like that through and pretend those people wanted it. It was for their benefit. Don’t mind the vague language, trust us, trust them.
Thank you. I was disappointed to not be given the chance to explain this initiative so I will be going ahead with a podcast, first with The Razors Edge and then one of my own here.
I have done that stephen. Took me some time to copy and paste all those emails but if my voice helps that is great.
I list them below so if anyone wants to grab it and send on an email to them all - this should work.
Elizabeth Byrne - Below also is what I sent. Hope thats ok.
To Members of the Senate March 2024
I would ask as a Citizen of this Island that you consider the repercussions to me and my Family and my fellow citizens if you do not discard this hate speech bill.
I would ask that you bin the bill.
We already have adequate protections in our laws against hate. If you cannot repulse it then take it to a referendum and ask the people themselves.
I have a right to have my voice heard and to feel free to voice my opinions in a healthy and democratic society that our ancestors fought, imprisoned and died for.
I have worked all my life, paying taxes and supporting the running of this state, entrusting it to be ran in a democratic way and not to cause harm to any of our citizens or erode their rights to live freely, to speak freely. I have reared three children into tax paying adults. I come from a family of 12. I can assure you they all feel the same way - without any doubt.
I voted to keep the Seanad as at the time I knew it was the stepping stone between the government and the president and could review and fight for the people of this island to ensure we are run in a fair and democratic way. I ask you now to stand up for your people and BIN THE BILL.
I am a busy person and do not wish to involve myself in politics - I expect our government and the elected TD's and Seanad and President to run our country in a fair and democrat way that is the benefit of all its tax paying citizens. That is why we hold elections. To change our very fabric of being so radically is undemocratic.
I am not a barrister or well versed in the law. I am not a law breaker and do my best to follow the normal society rules a country that is free and democratic are run by.
I would ask that you END THE BILL.
Yours sincerely
annie.hoey@oireachtas.ie
gerry.horkan@oireachtas.ie
mary.seerykearney@oireachtas.ie
sharon.keogan@oireachtas.ie
sean.kyne@oireachtas.ie
tim.lombard@oireachtas.ie
vincentp.martin@oireachtas.ie
michael.mcdowell@oireachtas.ie
john.mcgahon@oireachtas.ie
erin.mcgreehan@oireachtas.ie
rebecca.moynihan@oireachtas.ie
ronan.mullen@oireachtas.ie
eugene.murphy@oireachtas.ie
denis.odonovan@oireachtas.ie
fiona.oloughlin@oireachtas.ie
joe.oreilly@oireachtas.ie
pauline.oreilly@oireachtas.ie
ned.osullivan@oireachtas.ie
lynn.ruane@oireachtas.ie
marie.sherlock@oireachtas.ie
mark.wall@oireachtas.ie
barry.ward@oireachtas.ie
fintan.warfield@oireachtas.ie
diarmuid.wilson@oireachtas.ie
Thank you you very much
Great to have all those emails together like that, thanks Elizabeth. I'll save them and your letter is good too. I would make it shorter, because obviously, they won't read it anyway, some secretary might read the first paragraph
I actually shortened it. Ha ha
That’s so well written , I loved it!
Is the text at the top something I can copy and paste and then just add names 🤔
In the video linked in the article, the Seanad are requesting individual or unique emails. So feel free to choose your own words but reference this petition by name and explain in detail your reasons for opposing it
Gotchya. Thanks . I'll sit down later and do it .
I have just emailed the senator mentioned at the top of this update (didn't write his name as i'm unsure if my comment would be deleted by the platform). I also emailed the pre**d*nt some time ago. Many thanks for the work and the update - i am truly behind you and support what you've done, and am eternally grateful. I have been so through-the-mill of a million concerns about this bill, it just cannot go ahead. Please keep updating for any further support needed.
I will indeed Lara, glad to have you aboard
i also sent a second email to the whole list :) - but i reckon emails with that many senators cc'd will go into a spam folder and will never reach them to be seen, so i would suggest people to send two emails - one to just one senator and the second to the whole list if they want, just in case.
Now i will likely get spammed all night with automatic responses.. but worth it :) Fingers crossed.
Thanks Stephen. How dare we not do as you tell us. I prefer a monarchy and TRUE Irish King under GOD myself, our liberal democracy is obviously an oligarchy. None of this circus is homegrown but of a foreign source, we are being conquered. We need to alert our giant diaspora and bring them home. Ireland, when on the front foot, nothing compares to you.
Just sent my one there. Lads write it in your own words, it doesn't have to be very long but on point.
I have had one reply - and I have replied back - see below
Senator Annie Hoey
Thank you for your reply - I think its probably a generic reply to all citizens regarding the hate speech bill.
I do not feel you have carried out due diligence in your study having only used University of Limerick for your survey. Ask all of ireland - have a referendum. 1000 people at a third level institution should not have the power to bring laws into action that could take away the rights of all of the Irish Citizens.
Please remember in your amendments to protect the rights of Women, mothers, daughters, aunts - we too have a right to protections against hate which has been eroded with this current government. I want my daughter, my nieces and my grandchildren to be able to walk safely around our country and to have freedom of speech because without it we are a communist society. Also, to feel safe while using facilities outside their homes.
Ask the people - the citizens of Ireland - if you believe strongly in it - then have a referendum.
Elizabeth Byrne
On Monday, 25 March 2024 at 12:07:35 GMT, Annie Hoey <annie.hoey@oireachtas.ie> wrote:
Dear Elizabeth,
Thank you for contacting me regarding the Criminal Justice (Incitement to Violence or Hatred and Hate Offences) Bill 2022. It is a complex and important piece of legislation.
We have been campaigning for 10 years for the introduction for legislation to protect people who are victims of ongoing hatred, harassment, bigotry, and racist violence. We have worked with many organisations including the Coalition Against Hate Crime Ireland to introduce appropriate legislation. The Bill covers not just hate speech but also physical violence against people.
If you are a member of a vulnerable minority, hate is particularly troubling and damaging and we want to have the right balance between freedom of speech and freedom to live without fear and intimidation in a Citizen’s Republic. We also strongly believe that people should not be prematurely or unnecessarily criminalised as that would be counterproductive.
This bill is of incredible importance due to recent homophobic attacks and a rise in homophobia, transphobia and racism. Last year there was a 29% increase in Garda recorded hate crime and incidents. The Irish Network Against Racism (INAR) received 600 reports of racist incidents. The bill seeks to protect minorities and those with protected characteristics from targeted attacks and inciting violence against any particular group.
A recent study conducted by members of the European Centre for the Study of Hate at the University of Limerick surveyed a representative sample of 1,000 people in Ireland and found that more than two-thirds were in favour of hate crime legislation. Over 70% were in favour of the following groups being protected by legislation - older people, disabled people, gay, lesbian and bisexual people, Black people, Jewish people, Muslims and Travellers. 82% favoured the protection of transgender people in hate crime legislation.
We are currently looking at submitting amendments around certain aspects of the bill, including providing a clearer definition of ‘hate’ and ‘hatred’. However, it is important that this legislation is passed to protect certain minorities from hatred, assault and targeted attacks.
Thank you for contacting us on this important issue and we will continue to work to improve the legislation and to build a better society.
Kind regards,
Senator Annie Hoey
I got the exact same email from Annie Hoey
Annie Hoey is a disgrace
Yea, I was a bit insulted by her email. ‘If you are a member of a protected group then you would understand’ tone more or less.. load of crap.
Isn’t it a member of a protected group trying to have a voice and be heard, that her bill is going to shut down and convict first.
God forbid we offend or expose someone else’s bs narrative.
I hate people like that manipulating the needs of others, and misrepresenting surveys to sneak a bill like that through and pretend those people wanted it. It was for their benefit. Don’t mind the vague language, trust us, trust them.
Not so fast Hoey 😂 . Not happening.
Bill must be Binned.
Good on you
Your piece is a work of art Stephen, brilliant in every way and I heard you on the Niall Boylan this morning too
Thank you. I was disappointed to not be given the chance to explain this initiative so I will be going ahead with a podcast, first with The Razors Edge and then one of my own here.
You're always welcome to air anything you want on Off-Grid Ireland too
I havent been on there in ages