I took "equality between Protestants and Catholics in either of the Irelands" as referring to both sides of the border. And with regard to the Republic, if you mean the power of religion, you're out of date. Things have changed - shifted - dramatically, and they're evolving all the time. All the google searches in the world don't negate that. Come spend some time here, get your ear to the ground, and then judge.

The blasphemy law was overturned by public referendum by about two-thirds to one-third, and the Stephen Fry thing (which happened back in 2015) was what helped push it out. Somebody reported him to the gardai, who took a statement and said they'd look into it. But "a well-placed source said it was 'highly unlikely' that a prosecution would take place."* Nor did it.

"Atheist Ireland said it welcomed the garda investigation into Mr Fry for blasphemy, saying it 'highlights a law that is silly, silencing, and dangerous'."
A.I. then went on to publish a whole string of blasphemous quotes to deliberately challenge it, to the great glee of many (including me). And... crickets.

Believe me, I know perfectly well what this thread is about. I remember going from being searched by men with live machine guns at the border crossings, to whizzing through on a dual carriageway and only knowing we were on the other side when the road signs went from miles to kilometres. Nobody who has to live with the consequences wants to go back to the bad old days.


* https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/news/garda-launch-blasphemy-probe-into-stephen-fry-comments-on-the-meaning-of-life-35684262.html