Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 5 February 2026
297. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration how Ireland’s adoption of the IHRA definition of antisemitism aligns with the implementation of the current National Action Plan Against Racism; if he will provide details on the operationalisation of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9002/26]
View answerThe Government is determined to stamp out hate-motivated crimes and to protect all minority communities, including Jewish people, from discrimination. This is being actively achieved through legislation, policy and the provision of comprehensive supports, including through An Garda Síochána, to any people who are victims of a hate crime.
Ireland’s approach to tackling antisemitism is that it is addressed together with other forms of discrimination against minority groups as part of the National Action Plan against Racism (NAPAR) 2023-27. This is consistent with the approach recommended by the independent Anti-Racism committee that developed the NAPAR.
On a policy level, Ireland’s National Action Plan Against Racism represents a national level, State-led, co-ordinated approach to eliminating racism in all its forms in Ireland. The actions aim to have a significant positive impact on all minority ethnic communities and faith-based groups.
Department officials will be engaging with other Government Departments and with the NAPAR advisory committee regarding practical use of the IHRA definition, as an important part of this wider implementation programme.
Combatting antisemitism is also a priority for the EU and all its Member States. EU action in this area is guided by the European Commission Strategy on Combatting Antisemitism and Fostering Jewish Life and related Council Conclusions.
The vast majority of EU Member States, including Ireland, have also endorsed the Global Guidelines for Countering Antisemitism. These legally non-binding guidelines provide a framework to monitor and combat antisemitism that can be adapted to a wide variety of national, regional, and cultural contexts.
