Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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7. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his Department has considered the possibility of initiating an Article 259 TFEU case against Hungary specifically regarding the banning of the Budapest Pride Parade in 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55903/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Ireland consistently advocates for the promotion and protection of the rights of LGBTIQ+ people in Hungary and throughout the world. Our concerns in relation to serious Rule of Law backsliding, and the targeting of civil society and minority rights in Hungary, have been regularly raised, including in direct contacts with our Hungarian interlocutors.

We are closely monitoring the situation in Hungary and continue to engage with the European Commission and EU Member States, including in relation to the banning of the Budapest Pride Parade as well as the Pécs Pride. The Irish Embassy in Budapest was present at both events.

Ireland supports the Commission in Case C-769/22 on the grounds that Hungary's Child Protection Law infringes Article 2 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) and the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union. This case, taken by the Commission as guardian of the Treaties, addresses important legal questions that are of direct relevance to the current, concerning situation in Hungary.

Though little used, Article 259 of the TFEU provides a specific procedure for a Member State which considers that another Member State has failed to fulfil an obligation under the Treaties to bring the matter before the Court of Justice of the European Union. However, I believe that the best approach is to work with the suite of instruments available in the EU's Rule of Law toolbox, and I look forward to these being further strengthened.

Ireland remains committed to working constructively with the European Commission and other Member States to ensure that EU law is upheld and that concerns are addressed in accordance with the Treaties.