Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal East, Labour)
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184. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to clarify the way in which Ireland is pressuring Hungary to drop its veto on Ukraine joining the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57173/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Ireland’s support for Ukraine’s EU perspective is steadfast and remains a key focus of my engagements with EU counterparts, both bilaterally and in Brussels. Ukraine was granted EU candidate country status in June 2022, with negotiations opening in December 2023.

Despite Ukraine meeting the necessary criteria, Hungary continues to block the opening of the first negotiating cluster with Ukraine (and Moldova), effectively vetoing their progress. Ireland supports a merit-based EU accession process and has raised at political level our serious concern and frustration at this blockage. Ireland has also conveyed this position in bilateral engagements with Hungary, including at Ministerial and senior official levels. We will continue to advocate for the progression of Ukraine’s EU candidacy with Hungarian counterparts.

Furthermore, in discussions at Foreign Affairs Council, General Affairs Council and European Council, Ireland’s message is clear that we want to see concrete progress on Ukraine’s EU accession. At the European Council in June, leaders from 26 EU Member States, including Ireland, reiterated clear support for Ukraine’s path towards EU membership, and invited the Council to take the next steps in the accession process in line with the merit-based approach.

Notwithstanding this blockage, Ireland is continuing to provide financial and capacity building support for Ukraine’s EU candidacy. In September, as part of a package of €35.4 million in humanitarian assistance and stabilisation supports to Ukraine and neighbouring countries, I announced €1.5 million in funding for the Ukraine2EU initiative. This initiative supports Ukraine in coordinating and monitoring its accession process and ensuring the harmonisation of Ukrainian legislation with EU Law. My department is also supporting the provision of capacity building supports for candidate countries, including for Ukraine, to align with EU acquis.

The European Commission’s 2025 Special Eurobarometer Survey on Enlargement and Perception surveys in candidate and potential candidate countries confirmed that over 70% of Ukrainian’s support EU membership. Ukraine’s future lies within the European Union and Ireland will continue to support Ukraine’s efforts towards EU membership.