Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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123. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the proposed sanctions against Hungary in view of the recent developments and decisions that breach European values. [37934/18]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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On 12 September 2018, the European Parliament, under A7 of the Treaty on European Union, adopted a reasoned proposal to the Council, inviting the Council to determine whether there is a clear risk of a serious breach by Hungary of the values on which the European Union is founded. The President of the European Parliament formally communicated this proposal to the President of the Council of the European Union, the Austrian Chancellor, Mr. Sebastian Kurz, on 18 September. The Austrian Presidency will now determine how it intends to take this forward.

Fundamental values and the rule of law are a shared EU interest and call for a common approach. Our concerns about issues relating to the rule of law in Hungary are well known and were raised by the Taoiseach when he met with Prime Minister Orban on 4 January last.