Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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203. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to justify the adoption of the Global Guidelines Against Antisemitism considering the input of a government that the Irish Government considers to be guilty of the crime of genocide in the formulation of the guidelines via the EU-Israel Seminar (details supplied). [30481/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The Global Guidelines for Countering Antisemitism were an initiative of the former US Special Envoy for Monitoring and Combatting Antisemitism, Professor Deborah Lipstadt. They were developed in response to the wave of antisemitism being experienced by Jewish communities in many parts of the world. The European Commission signed on to the non-legally binding guidelines on 17 July 2024, along with Council of Europe, the OSCE and a number of countries. To date, the Global Guidelines have been endorsed by 41 countries. Ireland was invited to endorse the Guidelines by the Office of the US Special Envoy on Combatting Antisemitism.

The Global Guidelines are a clear and concise set of practical steps for addressing various aspects of antisemitism, including guidance on avoiding politicisation of antisemitism, and consideration of online and offline manifestations of antisemitism. They also support a rights-based approach, including with respect to religious freedom, freedom of expression, and non-discrimination.

Ireland, via the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, makes an individual assessment of which international initiatives align with Ireland’s priorities. This takes into consideration the views and approaches of other countries, particularly the decisions of our close partners in the European Union, but ultimately our decisions are autonomous. We believe the Global Guidelines are a timely initiative; it is clear to us that Holocaust remembrance and countering antisemitism are global responsibilities. Ireland is a signatory to the Stockholm Declaration, which joins States in a shared commitment to commemorate the victims of the Holocaust and to honour those who stood against it. Endorsement of the Global Guidelines for Countering Antisemitism is an extension of this longstanding commitment.

Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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205. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade further to Parliamentary Question No. 117 of 27 May 2025, wherein he claimed that it is not for him to make determinations about what qualifies as antisemitic and further to correspondences with the Minister for Justice (details supplied) wherein the Minister claimed that it is not for him to describe the details or status of the definition, how exactly the definition is to be applied, considering, separately, the ambiguity in official responsibility for the definition, and the textual ambiguity inherent in the definition; and his views on whether this ambiguity may have a “chilling effect” upon criticism of Israeli policy; notwithstanding that the definition is legally non-binding and that it notionally accepts particular kinds of criticism of the Israeli state. [30513/25]

Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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206. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade further to Parliamentary Question No. 117 of 27 May 2025, wherein he claimed that it is not for him to make determinations about what qualifies as antisemitic under the IHRA definition of antisemitism, how he expects officials in public bodies and civil society to make determinations about what should be considered antisemitic under the definition given the evident interpretive ambiguity inherent to the definition. [30514/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 205 and 206 together.

The IHRA definition of antisemitism and its accompanying illustrative examples aim to provide guidance in cases where antisemitism may arise. It is clear that antisemitism can take many forms, some obvious and some more insidious. The IHRA itself notes that the list is context specific. It is not a legal instrument and does not contradict Ireland's robust protections for freedom of expression and freedom of speech.

In response to previous questions submitted by the Deputy, I have been clear that the IHRA definition in no way precludes criticism of Israeli government policy. It is intended to assist in the very genuine need to combat antisemitism, to which I am deeply committed.

Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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207. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the reason excepting the example of the IHRA definition of antisemitism there are definitions, legally binding or otherwise, of discrimination are generally not officially adopted with respect to particular ethnic and religious groups; the reason, excepting the example of the IHRA definition of antisemitism, Irish law and policy documents concerned with discrimination and racism do not generally make reference to foreign policy or to attitudes to sovereign states; and the reason the IHRA definition of antisemitism was adopted during a period where the Minister claims that the Israeli state has used accusations of antisemitism instrumentally to undermine the case for human rights (details supplied). [30516/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, the IHRA definition emanates from an international organisation, comprising academics, civil society and Member States.

Some of the particularity that the Deputy outlines with respect to the IHRA definition may reflect the particularities and magnitude of the Holocaust, its unique legacy, and the related responsibility of the international community to combat antisemitism and prevent reoccurrence.

With regard to the timing, I have previously explained the rationale for endorsement, which includes our concern with the global rise in antisemitism, our international commitments, and our continued commitment to human rights and non-discrimination.