Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

No, I just gave it as an example of a country where one has the rule of law but where one would not necessarily approve of what happens. I accept it is not a country within the European Union.

If one has a country that has taken a decision not to allow immigrants, does that go against European values of welcoming people? I refer to those fleeing conflict or war. Concerns arise in regard to such issues. If we give the power, one could argue then that the Commission is in transition and one is further centralising power in the Commission. A big debate arises in that regard on Europe and there is clearly a disconnect with some member states.

On the surface, we would agree with the approach proposed to deal with countries that are undermining such values, but questions arise as to when we intervene. For example, do we intervene if we do not like a political party or organisation elected to government somewhere whose views are anathema to many of us within Europe? Is that the direction in which we are slowly being pushed? Concerns arise in that regard. On the surface, one could ask why one would oppose such an approach but we must ask questions. I accept we are scrutinising the issue but I do not know enough about the situation in Hungary or other countries. I would be concerned if we were checking judges willy-nilly without having a formal process, for example, whether the Minister for justice, for example, were to be the only one to decide if a structure must be in place. I do not know whether the Hungarians have such a system. What would the approach be if one had a judge that was involved in looking at child pornography? In most countries another judge would make an order on the situation. Concerns arise about situations where people would find it logical that one would approach certain issues when difficulties arise. I presume the Hungarians and others in the region are worried about what is happening in Ukraine. That is not to justify any country tearing up its constitution or laws but surely it is a matter for those elected in those countries if they want to change their value system or constitution.