Higgins lashes plans to ban blasphemy
Wednesday July 01 2009
JOE Higgins' phone is ringing off the hook. When we finally got through to him this week, the newly-elected Socialist MEP explained that he's still dealing with a backlog of media requests while he goes about hiring assistants and setting up a base at the European Parliament.
In between finding his feet in Brussels, he has also attended celebrations hosted in his honour at O'Sullivan's Pub, Garraí na dTúr, Lispole.
But the tireless socialist still found time this week to tear into government plans to ban blasphemy. In a statement, Mr Higgins blasted the move as 'an enormous attack on freedom of expression' that was 'reminiscent of the Dark Ages'. Under the government proposal, an amendment would be inserted into the Defamation Bill making anyone guilty of blasphemy liable to a fine 'not exceeding €100,000'. The plan aims to protect people from discrimination or incitement to hatred on religious grounds. But Mr Higgins claims the law would ' cut across the freedom to express opinions that may be contrary to a religion's core belief yet or in no way racist or discriminatory'. He is also concerned that the fine could be used by the State ' to shackle socialists, trade unionists and activists who are seen as a threat'.
EU COMMISSIONER TO VISIT LIMERICK
Meanwhile, the European Commissioner for Employment, Vladimir Spidla, will visit Limerick this week to meet with employees made redundant at the Dell plant in Raheen. It follows last week's commitment by the EU to fast track Ireland's application for funding to help retrain thousands of workers laid off at Dell and in the local industries that relied on the computer giant for their survival.
Local Labour MEP Alan Kelly, who has worked closely with the Dell workers, says a decision is expected in the coming weeks on whether the EU will agree to provide funds. 'It's good news, but it's not before time,' said the newly-elected MEP. 'The government have been slow off the mark in applying for the funding, but it's absolutely vital for those losing their jobs that they can retrain as quickly as possible.'
'Hopefully when the Commissioner sees the effect of the Dell redundancies with his own eyes it will also help to speed up the process,' he added.
