Blasphemy in Dublin

Apparently the Irish government intends to pass blasphemy legislation, reinforcing the 1937 Constitutional blasphemy prohibition. In some countries blasphemy is a capital offense. Section 295C of the Pakistan Penal Code carries a mandatory death penalty for anyone found guilty of blasphemy, but in Ireland they've evidently decided that that, is rather harsh. Instead, fines reaching as high as 25,000 euros ($39,000) will be issued to any person who, "publishes or utters matter that is (intentionally meant to be) grossly abusive or insulting in relation to matters held sacred by any religion, thereby causing outrage among a substantial number of the adherents of that religion." Search warrants can be issued to enter a private premises to obtain incriminating evidence. "It is a wretched, backward, uncivilized regression to the Middle Ages," said evolutionary biologist and notable atheist, Richard Dawkins. At a time when blasphemy laws are typically being abolished or ignored, Ireland, seems to be turning up the heat. What are your thoughts? Does this encourage tolerance or stifle freedom of speech?