Madam, - I refer to the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland (BCI) announcement to disallow the broadcast of the most recent Veritas advert. There is clearly a need for a change in broadcasting legislation in relation to religious advertising.
It is political correctness taken to the extreme to ban the advertising of items related to Christmas because they may have a link with a religious event or faith. As long as the advertising of a religious product is done in a responsible manner and in a way that is not divisive or discriminatory, then it should be legally allowed for in broadcasting legislation.
We are currently in the process of debating a new broadcasting Bill.
I have introduced an amendment that reflects the view of the majority of people, who have absolutely no problem with responsible religious advertising. Ireland is now a multicultural, tolerant country that should not require the outright banning of the kind of harmless advertising that Veritas have proposed in the build-up to Christmas. - Yours, etc,