Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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337. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the engagement he has had with the Georgian and Ukrainian Governments in view of their ambassadors’ attempts to influence academic teaching in DCU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22606/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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My Department has been copied on some of the correspondence between the Embassies of Georgia and Ukraine and DCU. However, the Department is not otherwise involved in this case. Nevertheless, I would like to take this opportunity to restate Ireland's firm and sustained commitment to academic freedom as a cornerstone of an open and democratic society. The promotion of respect for academic freedom and freedom of speech form key parts of our wider global advocacy on human rights. I am strongly opposed to any attempts to interfere with these rights either domestically or abroad.