Conor McGuinness (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

3. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 215, 216, 217, 218 and 441 of 29 April 2025, if he is aware of the use of the IHRA definition of antisemitism as a tool by groups and colleges in other countries to ban and penalise events being organised in universities and other non-state bodies that promote and reference Palestine or Palestinians or that recognise Palestinian statehood. [27828/25]

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

I would emphasise that the IHRA Definition is a non-legally binding guidance tool, intended to support the IHRA and its Member States in the important work of addressing contemporary challenges related to the Holocaust, including the growing rise in antisemitism which it is important to condemn and take action on.

Neither the definition nor its illustrative examples are intended to prevent criticism of the actions of the Government of Israel, or activism in support of Palestine or for the Two State Solution. In this respect I would draw the Deputy’s attention to Ireland’s robust protections for freedom of assembly, freedom of expression, media freedom and academic freedom.

Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
Link to this: Individually | In context

4. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade further to Parliamentary Question No. 190 of 20 May 2025, the specific individuals or organisations that raised concerns with his Department or the Government ahead of the adoption of the IHRA working definition of antisemitism (details supplied). [27887/25]

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

The decision to endorse the IHRA non legally binding working definition of antisemitism was taken to meet commitments under the European Commission Strategy for Fostering Jewish Life, as well as related EU Council Conclusions and Council Declarations. As Ireland was among the later EU Member States to endorse the IHRA definition of antisemitism, various international organizations raised adoption of the IHRA definition with us, including in light of growing antisemitism in Europe and internationally. These included the OSCE’s Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, the Council of Europe’s Commissioner for Human Rights, and the European Commission Coordinator on Combatting Antisemitism.

The views of the Jewish Representative Council of Ireland were also taken into account when reaching a decision to endorse the definition. Members of Ireland's Jewish community shared their personal experiences and their views that endorsing the IHRA definition would clearly signal that antisemitism has no place in Ireland, at a worrying time for Jewish communities around the world.

Our membership of the EU, the IHRA and the OSCE played a central role in our decision to endorse the definition, in addition to the need to combat the global rise of antisemitism and the representations made on behalf of the Jewish community in Ireland.

As Tánaiste and as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, I am always open to meeting a broad range of representatives, and to hearing all views, as are officials in my Department.