Irish Politician Demands "Common Sense" After Gov-Funded PSA Tells Grandparents to Get Consent Before Hugging Grandkids
A government-funded public service announcement from Ireland's We-Consent campaign has triggered a fierce backlash: the ad urges grandparents to seek their grandchildren's consent before hugging them. We-Consent describes itself as a long-term national programme supported by Ireland's Department of Justice and Department of Children, Disability and Equality, aimed at informing, educating and engaging all members of society about consent.
Dublin city councillor Gavin Pepper spoke out, calling for "common sense." He described the bond between grandparents and grandchildren as "one of the most important bonds in Irish family life," adding that "a hug from a loving grandparent should not be presented as something strange or suspicious." Pepper accused the government of "talking constantly about changing traditions" and warned that "there comes a point where people are entitled to say: leave some things alone." "Irish culture, family and traditions matter," he continued.
The ad exploded across social media, drawing reactions ranging from disbelief to fury. "The government need to answer for this. It's bonkers," one user wrote. Another slammed: "I'm sorry, but this just seems absolutely ridiculous. This is not how taxpayers' money should be spent. What next? A campaign to tell us that not everyone wants to be offered a cup of tea?" A third piled on: "This is actually both the saddest and most enraging thing I have seen for a long time. I mean WTAF? One of the most precious relationships is grandparents and grandchildren. HOW did this get signed off?"
We-Consent presents itself as a long-term national programme to inform, educate and engage everyone about consent, backed by the Department of Justice and the Department of Children, Disability and Equality. No direct government response to this specific ad has been reported so far.
Critics argue that folding an everyday affectionate hug into consent education overreaches into family life and risks casting normal grandparental affection as suspect. Supporters counter that consent education should start in ordinary family settings, helping children build bodily autonomy from an early age.
The controversy is still simmering, and more politicians and public figures may weigh in. Whether the ad will be revised, withdrawn or clarified remains to be seen.