 In light of amendments to Ireland's Defamation Act proposed by Irish Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Dermot Ahern, including changes which rendered the crime of blasphemous libel prosecutable for a fine of up to €100,000 (US$135,000).This was later reduced to €25,000 (US$33,700), Atheist Ireland launched a campaign of opposition to the concept of the law.The group received support from author and scientist Richard Dawkins, politician Ivana Bacik, and writers Graham Linehan and Arthur Mathews, among others.