Political correctness is considered by many to encompass decent behaviour and use of language, but others feel it has been taken to extremes.

Colette Browne, Irish Independent columnist and barrister, says: "To me, political correctness is a synonym for being polite and not being needlessly offensive."

However, journalist Larissa Nolan feels it has become "the elevation of moral posturing over truth. It's been weaponised as a way to shame and humiliate people into thinking the same way as people who have decided that they are the moral arbiters."

Has political correctness gone too far, with people losing their jobs and reputations because of ill-advised comments? Or is it a necessary barrier against racism and sexism?

Colette and Larissa joined commentator and mortage broker Karl Deeter and human rights and language activist Peter Kavanagh to debate the issue, looking at recent controversies such as Peter Casey's comments on travellers and TV presenter Megyn Kelly's opinion on 'blackface' Halloween costumes.

To catch the full chat press the play button on the image on the top of the screen