David Quinn (columnist)

{{Infobox person

| name = David Quinn

| nationality = Irish

| occupation = Journalist

| known for = Conservative campaigning

| education = St Paul's College, Raheny

| organisation = Iona Institute

| alma_mater = NIHE Dublin

}}

David Quinn is an Irish social and religious commentator. From 1996 to 2003, he was the editor at The Irish Catholic. He served as the religious and social affairs correspondent for the Irish Independent from 2003 to 2005. He has often appeared on Irish current affairs programmes. Since 2007, Quinn has been the Director of the Iona Institute advocacy group. Quinn has campaigned against the liberalisation of Irish abortion laws, the introduction of same-sex marriage and the legalisation of assisted suicide. He is a member of the Dublin branch of Legatus, which promotes Catholic values in corporate business,{{cite web|url=http://www.legatus.org/chapters/leadership?chapter=Dublin|title=To study, live, and spread the Catholic Faith in our business, professional, and personal lives|work=Legatus of Dublin|access-date=4 March 2014|archive-date=8 July 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130708084747/http://www.legatus.org/chapters/leadership?chapter=Dublin|url-status=live}} for those who meet stringent qualification criteria.{{cite web|url=http://www.legatus.org/qualifications|title=Qualifications|work=Legatus|access-date=11 March 2015|archive-date=17 March 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150317042937/http://www.legatus.org/qualifications|url-status=live}} He was educated at St Paul's College, Raheny and studied at NIHE Dublin (now Dublin City University), graduating with a degree in Business Studies.

He is also a regular contributor to the Irish edition of The Sunday Times.

Activities

=Iona Institute=

In January 2007 Quinn founded the Iona Institute, a Roman Catholic advocacy group promoting the practice of religion and families based on traditional marriage.{{cite news |first=Mark |last=Tighe |url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/ireland/article6888989.ece |title=Gay activists attack bill optout plan |newspaper=The Sunday Times |location=London |date=25 October 2009 |access-date=12 August 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-date=21 February 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110221164110/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/ireland/article6888989.ece }} He is the current Director of the Iona Institute.{{cite web|url=http://www.ionainstitute.ie/personnel-and-patrons/|publisher=Iona Institute|title=Personnel and Patrons|date=6 January 2010 |access-date=10 January 2017|archive-date=10 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170110164758/http://www.ionainstitute.ie/personnel-and-patrons/|url-status=live}}

=Abortion=

Quinn supported Ireland's previous near total ban on abortion, and has appeared many times in media debates on the topic of abortion in Ireland, to defend the Eighth Amendment.

=Euthanasia=

Quinn has campaigned against the legalisation of euthanasia.{{cite news|newspaper=Irish Independent|url=http://www.independent.ie/opinion/columnists/david-quinn/live-and-let-die-we-are-condoning-suicide-if-we-permit-assisted-suicide-34788130.html|title=Live and Let Die we are condoning suicide if we permit assisted suicide|first=David|last=Quinn|date=10 June 2016|access-date=7 March 2017|archive-date=1 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170401083531/http://www.independent.ie/opinion/columnists/david-quinn/live-and-let-die-we-are-condoning-suicide-if-we-permit-assisted-suicide-34788130.html|url-status=live}}

=LGBT rights=

{{see also|LGBT rights in the Republic of Ireland|LGBT rights opposition}}

Quinn has spoken in favour of Section 37 of the Employment Equality Act, which allows religious schools to discriminate, and fire employees who don't match their ethos, which can be used to fire gay teachers in Catholic schools,{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/news/bill-to-prevent-sacking-of-gay-teachers-30938317.html|title=Bill to prevent sacking of gay teachers|date=26 January 2016|quote=Stripping religious-run schools and hospitals of the ability to sack staff for being gay, divorced, or unmarried is the "best we can do without starting over", Equality Minister Aodhan O Riordain says.|first=David|last=Kearns|newspaper=Irish Independent|access-date=16 October 2017|archive-date=16 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171016175051/http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/news/bill-to-prevent-sacking-of-gay-teachers-30938317.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.ionainstitute.ie/the-de-facto-sacking-of-brendan-eich-and-section-37/|title=The de facto sacking of Brendan Eich and Section 37|date=22 April 2014|first=David|last=Quinn|quote=it was pointed out to me on social media that my stance seemed in direct contradiction of my support of Section 37 of the Employment Equality Act which allows religious organisations not to employ anyone who would undermine their ethos.|publisher=Iona Institute|access-date=16 October 2017|archive-date=16 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171016175950/http://www.ionainstitute.ie/the-de-facto-sacking-of-brendan-eich-and-section-37/|url-status=live}} with the Iona Institute recommending that it be kept.{{cite web|url=http://www.ionainstitute.ie/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Section-37-submission.pdf|title=Submission to the Equality Authority on Section 37 of the Employment Equality Acts|date=November 2013|publisher=Iona Institute|quote=We recommend that Section 37 be retained.|access-date=16 October 2017|archive-date=19 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171119081555/http://www.ionainstitute.ie/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Section-37-submission.pdf|url-status=live}} He is opposed to Ireland's Gender Recognition Act for transgender people.{{cite web|url=http://www.ionainstitute.ie/its-official-your-sex-gender-is-totally-unrelated-to-your-body/|title=The Government has ordained; the sex you are is totally unrelated to your body|first=David|last=Quinn|date=11 May 2017|quote=It is hard to overestimate how radical this move is. ... Think Caitlyn Jenner. S/he would insist that s/he has always been a woman and has no choice but to be a woman.|access-date=16 October 2017|archive-date=16 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171016230415/http://www.ionainstitute.ie/its-official-your-sex-gender-is-totally-unrelated-to-your-body/|url-status=live}} In 2010, he was opposed to legal recognition of same-sex in the form of civil partnerships.{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.ie/opinion/analysis/david-quinn-well-pay-a-heavy-price-for-allowing-samesex-unions-26640081.html|title=We'll pay a heavy price for allowing same-sex unions|first=David|last=Quinn|date=12 March 2010|newspaper=Irish Independent|access-date=2 February 2017|archive-date=2 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202234724/http://www.independent.ie/opinion/analysis/david-quinn-well-pay-a-heavy-price-for-allowing-samesex-unions-26640081.html|url-status=live}}{{cite news|newspaper=The Irish Times|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/mixed-reaction-to-civil-partnership-bill-1.783538|title=Mixed reaction to Civil Partnership Bill|first=Mary|last=Minihan|date=4 December 2009|access-date=2 February 2017|archive-date=30 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190330044751/https://www.irishtimes.com/news/mixed-reaction-to-civil-partnership-bill-1.783538|url-status=live}} He campaigned unsuccessfully for a No vote in the 2015 same-sex marriage referendum.{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/24/world/europe/ireland-gay-marriage-referendum.html|title=In Early Vote Count, Ireland Appears Headed Toward Legalizing Same-Sex Marriage|work=The New York Times|date=23 May 2015|access-date=1 March 2017|archive-date=29 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161229021707/http://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/24/world/europe/ireland-gay-marriage-referendum.html|url-status=live}}

In the course of the referendum campaign, Professor John A. Murphy, an Irish historian and former member of Seanad Éireann, wrote to The Irish Times. In his letter, he described the constitutional amendment, which permitted same-sex marriage and extended constitutional protection to families based on such marriages, as "grotesque nonsense.".{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/letters/marriage-referendum-1.2209712|title=Marriage referendum|newspaper=The Irish Times |access-date=18 May 2016|archive-date=11 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160611020207/http://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/letters/marriage-referendum-1.2209712|url-status=live}} Following this, Mr Quinn tweeted{{cite tweet|number=598421146929930240|user=DavQuinn|author=David Quinn|title=Proposed change to marriage 'grotesque nonsense' http://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/letters/marriage-referendum-1.2209712#.VVMaC-tReX0.twitter … Great letter by Prof John A Murphy in @IrishTimes today #MarRef|date=13 May 2015|access-date=20 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161020080530/https://twitter.com/DavQuinn/status/598421146929930240|url-status=live|archive-date=20 October 2016}} "Proposed change to marriage "grotesque nonsense"... Great letter by Prof John A Murphy in @IrishTimes today #MarRef". Mr Quinn was criticised for this Tweet by drag queen and gay rights activist Rory O'Neill (also known by his stage name, Panti Bliss), who wrote: "I can think of lots of things that are grotesque. Extending constitutional protection to all families is not one of them... I would call it 'fair', 'reasonable', 'compassionate', 'considerate', 'respectful', or even 'the very least we can do'. But not 'grotesque'."{{cite news|newspaper=Broadsheet|url=http://www.broadsheet.ie/2015/05/13/grotesqueries/|date=13 May 2015|title=Grotesqueries|access-date=18 May 2016|archive-date=1 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160701223231/http://www.broadsheet.ie/2015/05/13/grotesqueries/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/panti/photos/a.655209091156009.1073741827.117109094966014/984303711579877|title=Panti Bliss / Pantibar|website=Facebook |access-date=20 October 2016|quote=I think it's very revealing that David Quinn is prepared to endorse the use of the word "grotesque" about gay relationships and families. I can think of lots of things that are grotesque. Extending constitutional protection to all families is not one of them.|date=13 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161020081114/https://www.facebook.com/panti/photos/a.655209091156009.1073741827.117109094966014/984303711579877|archive-date=20 October 2016|url-status=live}}{{Primary source inline|date=December 2017}}

=Climate change denial=

Quinn is highly outspoken in his denial of both the severity of climate change and the role that humans have played in perpetuating the Climate crisis.{{cite web |url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/healthcare/article/davd-quinn-doom-mongers-hog-climate-change-headlines-d765tgtqc|title=David Quinn: Doom-mongers hog climate change headlines|website= The Times|date= 15 August 2021}}

Many of his objections to climate action - from carbon taxes to cutting emissions - focus solely on the economic impact that such actions would have.{{cite web |url=https://www.thetimes.com/world/ireland-world/article/david-quinn-eco-radicals-are-ignoring-our-economic-doom-t5kkx8nth |title=David Quinn: Eco-radicals are ignoring our economic doom |website= The Times|date= 29 September 2019}}{{cite web |url=https://www.thetimes.com/world/ireland-world/article/david-quinn-politicians-in-denial-over-cost-of-going-green-8njxbcvg2|title=David Quinn: Politicians in denial over cost of going green|website= The Times|date= 31 October 2021}} This is despite overwhelming evidence that climate action will ultimately create jobs and cost less than not taking action.{{cite web |url=https://www.eesi.org/papers/view/fact-sheet-climate-jobs#:~:text=There%20is%20significant%20potential%20for,%2C%20wind%2C%20and%20battery%20storage|title=Fact Sheet. Climate Jobs (2021) |website= www.eesi.org| publisher= Environmental and Energy Study Institute |date= 23 September 2021}}{{cite web |url=https://www.thejournal.ie/retrofit-scheme-ireland-explained-5677209-Feb2022/|title=Explainer: Here's how the government's ambitious retrofitting grant scheme is meant to work |website= www.thejouranl.ie| publisher= The Journal |date= 9 February 2022}}{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/climate-change-intervention-cost/2020/09/17/c6715db6-f784-11ea-89e3-4b9efa36dc64_story.html|title=Stopping climate change could cost less than fighting covid-19 | newspaper= Washington Post |date= 17 September 2020}}{{cite web |url=https://theconversation.com/climate-transition-delay-could-cost-the-uk-trillions-171209|title=Climate transition delay could cost the UK trillions |website= www.theconversation.com| publisher= The Conversation |date= 2 December 2021}}{{cite web |url=https://www.thejournal.ie/cost-of-living-carbon-tax-5677050-Feb2022/|title='We need to deal with climate change': Government rejects call to delay Carbon Tax hike |website= www.thejournal.ie| publisher= The Journal |date= 8 February 2022}}

In 2014 he made claims that the Irish Government would need to permit fracking in Ireland to address the growing demand for energy, while also sharing his opinion that the 2007 IPCC report was inaccurate.{{cite web |url=https://www.independent.ie/opinion/columnists/david-quinn/global-warming-leaves-us-a-stark-choice-fracking-or-nuclear-power-30154376.html|title=Global warming leaves us a stark choice – fracking or nuclear power |website= www.independent.ie| publisher= Irish Independent |date= 4 April 2014}} The Houses of the Oireachtas subsequently published a report into the harmful effects on environment and humans that fracking could have in Ireland,{{cite web |url=https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/press-centre/press-releases/20170412-fracking-could-have-harmful-effect-on-the-environment-and-humans-communications-climate-action-environment-committee-report/|title=Fracking could have harmful effect on the environment and humans – Communications, Climate Action & Environmental Committee report|website= www.oireachtas.ie| publisher= Houses of the Oireachtas |date= 12 April 2017}} which led to a law being passed in 2017 banning the practice of fracking in Ireland.{{cite web |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/oireachtas/ireland-joins-france-germany-and-bulgaria-in-banning-fracking-1.3137095?mode=sample&auth-failed=1&pw-origin=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.irishtimes.com%2Fnews%2Fpolitics%2Foireachtas%2Fireland-joins-france-germany-and-bulgaria-in-banning-fracking-1.3137095/|title=Ireland joins France, Germany and Bulgaria in banning fracking|website= www.irishtimes.com| publisher= The Irish Times |date= 28 June 2017}}{{cite web |url=https://greennews.ie/ichr-report-global-ban-on-fracked-gas/|title= Calls grow of an Irish-led global ban on fracking|website= www.greennews.ie| publisher= Green News |date= 25 May 2021}}

In 2019, Quinn was noted for his outspoken comments targeting climate activist Greta Thunberg, using his appearances on radio stations and his social media channels to attack the youth climate movement.{{cite web |url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/columnists/arid-30952599.html|title=Teenage climate protestors were born of our abuse of the planet |website= www.irishexaminer.com| publisher= Irish Examiner |date= 24 September 2019}}