Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 7 March 2024
143. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which the European Union continues to address threats to the rule of law in all European member states; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11512/24]
View answerThe European Union is inherently a community of values. Collectively these values underpin the EU’s strength, integrity and coherence, particularly in the face of external threats. It is incumbent on all Member States to recognise where such core values are threatened and to engage constructively to address any issues. Ireland has consistently supported the European Commission in developing a comprehensive range of tools to reinforce rule of law standards across all European Union member states and address rule of law concerns where they arise.
Ireland recognises that protecting the rule of law also requires continual reform and objective assessment of rule of law standards across all EU Member States.
To this end, in December last year, Ireland supported the review of the Council’s annual rule of law dialogue and the subsequent Presidency conclusions on this topic, which were agreed to by twenty six EU member states. These conclusions have strengthened the Council’s annual rule of law dialogue as a valuable preventive mechanism in the EU’s rule of law toolbox by ensuring more EU member states’ Rule of Law country chapters are analysed and discussed annually. These conclusions also encourage more frequent exchanges within the Council, and with external stakeholders, as appropriate.
Ireland also welcomes the objective assessment of our own record in the area by the Commission. We recently met with officials from the Commission, during their virtual visit to Ireland, where they conducted their annual objective assessment of the Rule of Law in each of the EU’s Member States.
Ireland also regularly contributes to Rule of Law discussions at the Council in Brussels and will continue to work closely with other EU Member States to protect and uphold rule of law standards across the EU.
