Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 20 March 2025
207. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs his response to the Hungarian Government’s ban on a public pride march (details supplied); his engagement with the Hungarian Government in respect of this ban and their repression of the LGBTQIA+ community; the efforts he will take through the European Union in response; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13251/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland strongly advocates for the promotion and protection of the rights of LGBTQI+ people throughout the world, including in our relations with Hungary. Ireland has repeatedly and consistently raised our concerns in relation to serious Rule of Law backsliding and the targeting of civil society and minority rights in Hungary, including in direct contacts with our Hungarian interlocutors. We also regularly support and engage with Hungarian civil society organisations that work to protect the rule of law, civil society space and minority rights in Hungary.
Under Article 2 of the Treaty on European Union, the EU is founded on shared values including human dignity, freedom, equality, respect for human rights, including the rights of persons belonging to minorities. Ireland has supported legal efforts taken by the European Commission to ensure that Hungary abides by its obligations as a member of the European Union. In 2023, Ireland intervened in support of the Commission in Case C-769/22 in relation to Hungary’s so-called “Child Protection Act” which represented a flagrant form of discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity and expression. In February 2025, we also intervened in support of the Commission in Case C-829/24 in relation to Hungary’s Sovereignty Protection Law, which seriously threatens civil society space and independent media in Hungary.
We are aware that an amendment to the Hungarian Fundamental Law has been passed by the Hungarian Parliament, which could be used to justify further restrictions on LGBTI+ rights.
Officials in my Department, including in the Embassy of Ireland in Budapest, will continue to monitor these worrying developments and to raise our concerns, including in direct engagements with our Hungarian counterparts. We will also continue to support Hungarian civil society organisations working to defend the Rule of Law and protect minority rights in Hungary.
