Social Democrats International Affairs spokesperson and Dublin Bay North TD, Cian O’Callaghan, has welcomed the historic deal to link funding in the forthcoming EU budget to respect for the rule of law.
Deputy O’Callaghan said:
“The deal to link the new EU budget to respect for the rule of law is very welcome. The Irish Government must be a vocal champion for this deal.
“It is utterly unacceptable that EU funding could be used to support so called LGBT Free Zones in Poland or restrictions on press freedoms in Hungary. Human rights and democratic rights must apply across the European Union and we cannot tolerate breaches of rule of law in member states.
“The people of Europe must stand in solidarity with each other. Governments in Poland, Hungary and elsewhere must know that if they undermine the rights of their citizens there will be consequences at a European level – this historic deal paves the way for that.”
November 6, 2020