Socialist Party MEP Paul Murphy condemned the recent RTE payout controversy at the European Parliament, calling it a “real attack on the freedom of speech”.

Murphy said, “National broadcaster, RTE, has censored Rory O’Neill for calling out homophobia, even worse than that, it has paid out €85,000 reportedly in damages to those accused of homophobia.

“It’s an attack by the right- wing conservative forces in Ireland, acceded to by RTE, designed to censor debate in advance of a likely referendum on marriage equality. We must refuse to be silenced.”

Watch the speech below.