DUBLIN (Reuters) - Ireland will not introduce hate speech laws, its justice minister said on Saturday, dropping a central part of the response to riots in Dublin last year following criticism from some government lawmakers, opponents and billionaire Elon Musk.

Society must “think very carefully” about the reality of racism in Ireland now that the Government has dropped its hate speech law plans.

Plans to introduce new hate speech provisions in Irish law have been abandoned by the government after they garnered criticism.

The Republic of Ireland's Minister for Justice has confirmed she has dropped plans to introduce new hate speech laws. Helen McEntee said she would still include the hate crime element in new legislation. She will introduce committee stage amendments to the Criminal Justice (Incitement to Violence or Hatred and Hate Offences) Bill 2022.

On Saturday it emerged that the amendments to the Criminal Justice (Incitement to Violence or Hatred and Hate Offences) Bill 2022 would be proposed at committee stage. The Prohibition of Incitement to Hatred Act 1989 will now not be repealed as incitement proposals are withdrawn.

The government first brought the proposed legislation before parliament two years ago and further prioritised tightening anti-hate laws it said were unfit for the social media age last November after

Ireland will not introduce hate speech legislation, Justice Minister Helen McEntee announced on Saturday, following criticism from government officials, opponents, and billionaire Elon Musk. The government originally introduced the proposed legislation two years ago, aiming to modernise anti-hate laws deemed outdated for the social media era.

The Government will drop controversial plans to introduce hate speech laws, Minister for Justice Helen McEntee has confirmed after it was revealed in The Irish Times on Saturday. However, the Minister has said she will press ahead with the hate crime part of the criminal justice legislation despite it being seen as a row-back on her commitment.