106. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to provide an update on diplomatic efforts made by the State in response to legal persecution of LGBTQ+ persons in Senegal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22987/26]

158. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if she has expressed or will express concern at the adoption of legislation in Senegal that seeks to further oppress members of the LGBT community; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22376/26]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 106 and 158 together.

The Government is very concerned by the recent adoption of legislation by the Senegalese Parliament imposing a maximum penalty of ten years imprisonment for same-sex relations and criminalising actions deemed to finance or promote LGBTIQ+ activities.

The promotion and protection of the rights of LGBTIQ+ persons is both a domestic and foreign policy priority for Ireland. We recognise that LGBTIQ+ persons continue to suffer disproportionate levels of violence and face systemic discrimination in many countries, and we are active in advocating for their rights. Ireland has made defending the rights of LGBTIQ+ persons one of our top priorities in the current campaign for election to the UN Human Rights Council.

The Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, Jack Chambers, T.D., visited Senegal last week as part of the Government’s St Patrick’s Day programme. He raised the Government's concerns on this issue directly with the Senegalese Minister of Economy, Planning and Cooperation and with the Minister of Youth and Sports. He also discussed the situation with the UN Resident Coordinator in Senegal.

The Government is concerned about the increasing hostility in Senegal towards LGBTIQ+ persons, which is part of a worrying global pushback on LGBTIQ+ rights in recent years. At the most recent Human Rights Council Universal Periodic Review of Senegal, in January 2024, Ireland raised LGBTIQ+ rights and expressed concern that Senegal had made no progress in revising laws to address the persecution of persons on the basis of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

Through our mission network and our international development programme, the Government supports civil society organisations and human rights defenders working to defend LGBTIQ+ rights. We will continue to prioritise the promotion and protection of the rights of LGBTIQ+ persons and to support partners working directly to promote human rights and accountability.