Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 November 2021
447. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the actions that have and are being taken to ensure that a suitable person is appointed as the EU special envoy for promotion of freedom of religion or belief outside the EU given that the position is currently vacant and has been vacant for most of the past two years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53081/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMr Christos Stylianides was appointed ‘Special Envoy for the promotion of freedom of religion or belief outside the EU’ in May 2021 but has since resigned. The EU are currently seeking a suitable replacement for Mr Stylianides.
The EU has made clear that an appointment to the role will be made in due course and that the future mandate of the Special Envoy is currently being fine-tuned in light of previous experiences and in response to future challenges. With religious persecution on the rise worldwide, Ireland is very much aware of the importance of finding a suitable replacement to ensure that the EU and its member states can continue to protect and defend the right to freedom of religion or belief throughout the world.
