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Foreign Policy

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 April 2018

Tuesday, 17 April 2018

Ceisteanna (204, 205)

Niall Collins

Ceist:

204. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the recent parliamentary election result in Hungary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16744/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Niall Collins

Ceist:

205. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views regarding the freedom of the press and NGOs in Hungary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16745/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 204 and 205 together.

The elections in Hungary last Sunday week resulted in a two thirds majority for the ruling party led by Prime Minister Victor Orban. The Irish Government will continue to work with the Prime Minister and his administration to ensure that the European Union is equipped for the collective challenges we face, not least in addressing the issues of greatest concerns to our citizens, including Brexit, the Union’s future finances and EMU.

Respect for the fundamental values on which the European Union is founded and which are set out in the Treaty, including respect for the rule of law and freedom of expression, must continue to be at the forefront of all efforts which Member States and the institutions make to tackle the challenges we face.

The overall media environment in Hungary has deteriorated further in recent weeks with the closure of a major independent newspaper. There are also concerns over the civic space available for NGOs to continue to operate in Hungary. The European Commission is, in the first instance, charged with ensuring the application of the treaties and is responsible for promoting the general interest of the Union.

Last December, the Commission announced that it was referring Hungary to the Court of Justice of the European Union in relation to, inter alia, the laws on higher education (the “Lex CEU”) and on NGOs adopted in 2017. In the case of these two issues, Hungary is considered to have failed to address EU concerns about these laws or amend the legislation to bring it in line with EU standards.

I hope that Hungary and the European Commission will engage on these important issues and that, ultimately, a resolution may be achieved.

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