Human Rights

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 April 2024

Tuesday, 30 April 2024

Ceisteanna (145, 155)

Bríd Smith

Ceist:

145. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he is aware of the recent report that Irish protesters were told at a pro-Palestine protest camp in Berlin that they were not allowed to speak Irish by German police; if he agrees that this is an unacceptable development and infringes a person's right to speak a language of their choice and is a dangerous precedent to set; if he will clarify if this violates any article of the European Convention on Human Rights or any other legislation; if he intends to raise this matter with his German counterpart with a view to expressing his concerns that Irish citizens were instructed not to speak their national language and under which legislation was this ordered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18937/24]

Cian O'Callaghan

Ceist:

155. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he is aware of Irish protesters in Berlin being reprimanded for speaking Irish by German police; if he will contact the German Ambassador regarding this failure uphold EU citizens language rights; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19449/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs

I propose to take Questions Nos. 145 and 155 together.

I am aware of reports regarding the incident in question.

The incident described took place in the context of a protest within Berlin’s government district. I understand that the rules surrounding this protest related to all languages other than English and German, and not to Irish in particular. There are domestic German administrative and legal avenues open to the group to raise this matter with the relevant authorities and the group may wish to consider this.

The Embassy has strong and regular outreach to the Irish community in Germany. I was pleased to meet with members of the community, including those that speak and promote the learning of the Irish language during some of my recent visits to Germany.