Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 February 2026
243. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade further to comments made at an event (details supplied), if he will provide details of how the IHRA Definition was ‘formally adopted’ by the Government in January 2025; if this decision was approved by Cabinet; if so, if he will provide the date of the Cabinet meeting which decided same. [9000/26]
View answerIreland 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 kept the question of adoption of the IHRA’s working definition of antisemitism under review.
The European Commission Strategy on Combatting Antisemitism and Fostering Jewish Life (2021-2030) calls on EU Member States to adopt and use the IHRA working definition of antisemitism. A series of EU Council Conclusions and Declarations have also encouraged use of the IHRA definition as a tool to counter antisemitism. Most recently, the October 2024 EU Council Declaration on Fostering Jewish Life and Combatting Antisemitism, which Ireland was a strong proponent of, again invited EU Member States to use the IHRA definition as useful guidance for education and training purposes. All EUMS have now adopted the IHRA definition.
The decision to endorse the IHRA definition of antisemitism followed detailed consideration within the Department of Foreign Affairs, and consultation with other relevant Departments. Ireland’s endorsement was announced by then Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin, on 16th January 2025, ahead of the significant 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau.
Most importantly, this decision was also taken in response to concerns raised by Ireland’s Jewish communities, in the context of a well-documented and concerning rise in antisemitism, holocaust denial and distortion, which has been taking place globally, both offline and online.
The Programme for Government adopted by the new Government in January 2025 subsequently included a commitment to give effect to the endorsement of the IHRA definition and to implement the EU Council Declaration on Fostering Jewish Life and combatting antisemitism. The inclusion of these elements in the Programme for Government is a strong signal of this Government’s commitment to tackle all forms of discrimination and provide reassurance and support for Ireland’s Jewish community at a concerning and challenging time.
