Eoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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1903. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the engagement his Department has had with the European Commission regarding the plans by Ireland to adopt the IHRA definition of antisemitism; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42227/25]

Eoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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2032. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if his Department has had any engagement with the European Commission regarding the recent comments of the EU Coordinator for Combatting Antisemitism and Fostering Jewish Life describing bake sales for Gaza (including raising money for the Irish Red Cross) as causing 'ambient antisemitism' and linking European citizens protesting peacefully for justice in Palestine to extremist organisations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42228/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1903 and 2032 together.

Ireland has a longstanding commitment to supporting freedom of religion or belief, equality and non-discrimination. This commitment has been expressed over many years, including at the UN and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), and as a member of the EU. Ireland is also a longstanding member of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA).

The preliminary work on adopting the IHRA definition was led by the Department of Foreign Affairs, which leads Ireland’s delegation to the IHRA.

On 16 January 2025, the Department of Foreign Affairs issued a press release to relay that the Tánaiste, Mr Micheál Martin had announced the endorsement of Global Guidelines for Countering Antisemitism and the IHRA non-legally binding working definition of antisemitism.

Responsibility for anti-racism policy transferred to my Department with effect from 1 May 2025, in line with the Programme for Government 2025.

A primary focus is monitoring the implementation of Ireland’s National Action Plan Against Racism (NAPAR), and this includes work to tackle antisemitism.

The Government’s endorsement of the Global Guidelines for Countering Antisemitism and the IHRA working definition of antisemitism supports our wider commitment to addressing discrimination in all its forms, through implementation of the plan. That implementation will be progressed during 2025 and beyond.

Officials in the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, will consider the application of the IHRA working definition of antisemitism in consultation with representatives of the Jewish community in Ireland and with other relevant departments, including the Department of Education and Youth and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.