CHANNEL 4 IRISH FAMINE COMEDY

Early day motion 727, tabled 22 January 2015 by John Leech (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 8 members.

That this House notes that the Great Irish Famine resulted in the deaths of one million people and the emigration of up to two million more, reducing Ireland's population by a quarter; recognises that these events have had an indelible impact upon Ireland, with the country's population still lower today than in 1845; further notes that Channel 4 is planning to create a comedy series called Hungry, about the Great Irish Famine; further notes with concern that the intended tone of this sitcom is to be similar to the Shameless comedy series, set in Ireland during the famine; believes that a tragedy of this magnitude represents inappropriate subject matter for such a sitcom; and calls on Channel 4 to reconsider its decision to produce this insensitive and potentially highly offensive comedy programme.

Signatures by party: Labour 3, Liberal Democrat 2, Independent 1, Plaid Cymru 1, Respect 1.