Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

9. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will take action at the EU level to defend the rights of LGBTQ+ people in Hungary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17697/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Ireland strongly advocates for the promotion and protection of the rights of LGBTQI+ people throughout the world, including in our relations with Hungary. Ireland has consistently raised our concerns in relation to the targeting of civil society and minority rights in Hungary, both in EU fora and in direct contacts with our Hungarian interlocutors. We also regularly support and engage with Hungarian civil society organisations that work to protect the rule of law, civil society and minority (including LGBTQI+) rights in Hungary.

At EU level, Ireland has supported legal efforts taken by the European Commission to ensure that Hungary abides by its obligations as a member of the European Union. In 2023, Ireland intervened in support of the Commission in Case C-769/22 in relation to Hungary’s so-called “Child Protection Act” which represented a flagrant form of discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity and expression. In February 2025, we also intervened in support of the Commission in Case C-829/24 in relation to Hungary’s Sovereignty Protection Law, which seriously threatens civil society space and independent media in Hungary.

Through our Embassy in Budapest, Ireland is working locally on a collective response with likeminded partners, whose strong joint statements in support of Budapest Pride the Embassy led in coordinating in 2021 and 2024. We will continue to closely monitor developments and raise our concerns with relevant interlocutors, as well as continuing to support civil society organisations working to defend the Rule of Law and protect minority rights in Hungary.