I understand the legislation referred to by the Deputy has passed into law in the Saint Petersburg region. While this type of legislation purports to protect young people, it is more likely, in my view, to result in further stigmatisation, and even criminalisation, of lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT) young people. In fact, I am aware of reports that an individual has recently been convicted under this legislation and understand that he intends to appeal the verdict. A senior official in my Department was in contact with the Russian Embassy to express concern at this legislation when it was introduced last year. In addition, the European Union, with Irish support, raised this matter with the Russian authorities at an EU-Russia human rights dialogue held in Moscow last December.
Earlier this year, the EU communicated, formally, its concerns to the Russian Federation authorities about the legislation and Ireland has again been supportive of these efforts.
Just last week in a dialogue on human rights with the Duma of the Russian Federation the EU again underlined its concerns on this issue.
This Government is strongly committed to combating discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation or gender identity and considers that discriminatory legal or administrative provisions which curtail the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people are not acceptable.