At an Oireachtas Business Committee meeting this morning, Richard Boyd Barrett TD requested that time be allocated on the Dáil schedule after next week’s recess for statements on the withdrawal of Sally Rooney’s books from sale in Britain and the North.
He expressed grave concern that we are seeing definitions of terrorism being extended to encompass the expression of support for Palestine. He said this has serious implications for freedom of speech and artistic expression.
Richard Boyd Barrett TD said:
“The withdrawal of Sally Rooney’s books from sale in Britain is an alarming development. It means the definition of terrorism has now been extended to encompass the expression of support for Palestine.
“We are in dangerous territory when books are being removed from shelves because the author has expressed support for the people of Palestine and opposition to the genocide in Gaza. This has very serious implications for freedom of artistic expression and freedom of speech.
“To her great credit, Sally has been vocal in her support for the people of Palestine and in her condemnation of Israel’s genocide in Gaza. It is important that the Irish Government and the opposition parties act together to make it clear that we support Sally Rooney and demand that the British Government end its repression of free speech and censorship of Sally.
“We are currently drafting a motion of support for Sally that I will circulate to all TDs, and I hope that the motion will get the support of all parties, including government parties.
“I believe there is broad opposition party support for a debate and I hope the Government will facilitate statements in the Dáil soon after next week’s recess.”