Paul McAuliffe (Dublin North-West, Fianna Fail)
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28. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the action he will take to build on the strong, enduring and dynamic relationship between Ireland and the United States; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4359/25]

Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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30. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the engagement there has been with the new Administration in the United States. [4540/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 28 and 30 together.

Ireland and the United States have deep and strong bilateral relations, built on a rich foundation of ancestral ties, shared values and close diplomatic and political links, including US support for peace on this island. We marked 100 years of diplomatic relations in 2024. As we begin the next century of diplomatic relations, Ireland looks forward to working with the new US administration on issues of mutual interest and priority both bilaterally and with our EU colleagues.

Strengthening the deep and historic relationship between Ireland and the US is a key priority for the Government. On the ground, this work is delivered by our Embassy in Washington DC and the eight Consulates across the United States, who I engaged with via VC in recent weeks and received an updated on their work to further deepen our relationship through engagement at federal, gubernatorial and state level.

A lot has been achieved in deepening and widening our capacity across the US through the delivery of Ireland's "Strategy for the US and Canada 2019–2025". I look forward to leading the delivery of the next phase in our strategic approach to the US, which will have a high level of ambition to further grow our mutually beneficial economic relationship, underpinned by the political engagement which remains critical for peace on our island, and also growing our rich people to people links which includes strong support to our diaspora.

The bilateral US Ireland relationship has had steady rhythm of high level visits in both directions in recent years. In this regard, Saint Patrick’s Day has for many years served as a unique opportunity to celebrate our culture and business links globally, in particular the many strong links between Ireland and the US. We look forward to carrying forward the tradition this year.

Last week, I announced the establishment of a US-based Strategic Economic Advisory Panel (SEAP) as part of our efforts to intensify our outreach in the United States. The extensive US-Ireland economic relationship delivers prosperity and jobs on both sides of the Atlantic, and as we seek to maintain & deepen this partnership, the Panel’s advice and analysis on ensuring Ireland’s competitiveness as an economic partner of the US into the future will be crucial.

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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32. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the basis on which, and by whom, the decision was taken to endorse the non-binding working definition of antisemitism; if that endorsement includes endorsement of the 11 'contemporary examples' of antisemitism by an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4513/25]

Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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33. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has been in discussions with international counterparts in relation to the definition of antisemitism by an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4491/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 32 and 33 together.

Ireland has been a full member of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) since 2011. Since the adoption of the working definition of antisemitism by the IHRA plenary in 2016, my Department has had frequent contact with other members of the IHRA on the question of the endorsement of the working definition of antisemitism. Similar discussions have taken place with the European Commission, in the context of the EU Working Group on Combatting Antisemitism and Fostering Jewish Life, which Ireland attends along with all other EU Member States.

Ireland has always kept the question of endorsement of the IHRA working definition of antisemitism under review. The decision to endorse the IHRA definition at this time was a result of careful consideration, taking into account a range of developments and initiatives at EU and at global level, in particular the alarming rise in recent times of both online and offline antisemitism.

At EU level, EU Member States have been encouraged to use the IHRA definition as a tool to counter antisemitism in a series of Council Conclusions/Declarations agreed in 2018, 2020 and 2022. The European Commission Strategy on Combatting Antisemitism and Fostering Jewish Life (2021-2030) calls on Member States to adopt and use the IHRA working definition of antisemitism. Most recently, the October 2024 EU Council Declaration on Fostering Jewish Life and Combatting Antisemitism once again invited EU Member States to use the IHRA definition as useful guidance for education and training purposes. The Department of Foreign Affairs engaged closely with the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth during the agreement of this Council Declaration. At the time of endorsement, Ireland became the 26^th EU Member State to endorse the IHRA definition.

Taking a global perspective into account, the decision to endorse the IHRA definition was taken in the context of a disturbing trend of rising antisemitism, online and offline. Ireland has a longstanding commitment to supporting freedom of religion or belief, equality and non-discrimination. Endorsement of the IHRA definition is consistent with these commitments.

Ireland has endorsed the IHRA non-legally binding working definition of antisemitism as adopted by the IHRA plenary in Bucharest on the 26 May 2016; The Definition states:

“Antisemitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities.”

As the IHRA notes, the purpose of the non-legally binding illustrative examples, which accompany the working definition is to guide the organisation in its work, such as its core mandate of addressing contemporary challenges related to the Holocaust. Ireland acknowledges the examples as useful guidance, including in the context of the commitment made in the Programme for Government. It should be remembered that even within this context criticism of Israel similar to that levelled against any other country cannot be regarded as anti-Semitic.