Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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109. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the steps he is taking in response to Hungary’s recent anti-LGBTQ legislation. [35192/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I am very concerned about this recent change to Hungary’s laws. The potential for this legislation to harm the rights and freedoms of the LGBTQI+ community in Hungary, particularly young people, is extremely worrying. Statements by my colleague, Minister of State for European Affairs, Thomas Byrne T.D. and myself, made in the immediate aftermath of the Hungarian Assembly’s passage of this bill, made clear Ireland’s concerns about this attack on LGBTQI+ rights in Hungary.

Ireland believes in a Europe of equality, respect, and tolerance. Promoting the rights of LGBTQI+ people is a human rights priority for Ireland. We are also committed to upholding core EU values of respect for human dignity, freedom, and equality as enshrined in Article 2 of the Treaties and the EU’s Charter of Fundamental Rights.

Ireland therefore co-signed a declaration led by the Benelux countries at the 22 June General Affairs Council meeting in Luxembourg. This declaration expresses grave concern at Hungary’s use of child protection as a pretext for introducing measures that violate freedom of expression and other rights as enshrined in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, and unjustifiably target the LGBTQI+ community.

Ireland actively participated at the Article 7 Treaty on European Union hearing on Hungary’s adherence to EU values at the 22 June General Affairs Council. During the hearing, we made clear our view that legislation of this kind has no place in the EU and is fundamentally incompatible with EU values.

An Taoiseach, Micheál Martin, also joined with fifteen of his EU counterparts in co-signing a statement on 24 June at the European Council meeting, vowing to continue fighting against discrimination towards the LGBTQI+ community and reaffirming their commitment to the defence of their fundamental rights.

The Embassy of Ireland in Hungary has actively supported statements of concern made locally by like-minded partners and has registered its deep concern about this law and its implications for equality and human rights. The Embassy of Ireland is also coordinating this year’s statement by Embassies in Hungary supporting the Budapest Pride Parade, which takes place on 24 July.

Ireland will continue to engage on this issue and will reiterate our call for the Hungarian Government to reconsider the introduction of this law.