Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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250. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position regarding the situation in Hungary; the efforts being made at EU level to address issues such as the curtailment of the media and violations of democratic norms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31026/17]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The European Union is founded on the values of respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights.

The foundations of the Rule of Law process are contained in the Treaties and these foundations have been strengthened successively with the establishment of the EU Rule of Law Framework in 2014.

The current situation in Hungary was extensively discussed in a debate in the European Parliament on 26 April last, at which time both Prime Minister Orbán and First Vice-President of the European Commission Timmermans made extensive contributions to the debate.

Fundamental values and the rule of law are a shared EU interest and call for a common approach. Ireland is supportive of the approach being taken by the European Commission in relation to developments in Hungary. The Hungarian government has consistently made clear its willingness to engage with the Commission and I look forward to the outcome of that process. It would be premature to come to conclusions before then.