Pádraig Rice (Cork South-Central, Social Democrats)
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145. 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 IHRA definition of antisemitism; the reason this was not included in the Programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36826/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Ireland has been a member of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) since 2011. Since the adoption of the non-legally binding 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.

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. A series of EU Council Conclusions and Declarations have also encouraged use the IHRA definition as a tool to counter antisemitism. Most recently, the October 2024 EU Council Declaration on Fostering Jewish Life and Combatting Antisemitism again invited EU Member States to use the IHRA definition as useful guidance for education and training purposes. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade engaged closely with the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth during the agreement of this EU Council Declaration.

The decision to endorse the IHRA definition of antisemitism followed detailed consideration within the Department of Foreign Affairs, and consultation with other relevant Departments, and was announced on 16th January 2025. It was also taken in response to concerns raised by Ireland’s Jewish communities, our broader EU commitments, and our longstanding commitment to freedom of religion or belief, equality and non-discrimination. Most importantly, the decision was taken in the context of a well-documented and concerning rise in antisemitism, which has been taking place globally, both online and offline. The decision is also in line with commitments in the Programme for Government, which includes an action to give effect to the IHRA Working Definition and to implement the EU Council Declaration. Government departments do not contribute to the Programme for Government deliberative process.