229. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade her response to raids and arrests targeting the LGBTQ+ community in Turkey; and if she has contacted the Turkish Embassy in Dublin to convey the Irish Government’s serious concerns. [67686/26]

232. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the actions that she has taken and plans to take in the future in response to the ongoing persecution of members of the LGBTQIA+ community in Turkey. [67785/26]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 229 and 232 together.

Recent actions against LGBTIQ+ organisations and persons in Türkiye are deeply concerning. The promotion and protection of the rights of LGBTIQ+ persons is a domestic and foreign policy priority for Ireland and this is reflected in our campaign for the Human Rights Council where defending the rights of LGBTIQ+ persons is one of our five thematic priorities.

As an EU candidate country, member of the Council of Europe, and a party to international human rights instruments, Türkiye is expected to uphold the highest democratic standards and to ensure the respect of fundamental rights for all, including for LGBTIQ+ persons.

Ireland fully supports the statement of 18 September by the European External Action Service expressing concern about the arrests and legal proceedings in Türkiye. In our national capacity on 22 September, along with some EU member states and like-minded countries, a joint message expressing deep concern was delivered to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Türkiye. On 23 September, at the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, Ireland aligned with a statement of the LGBTI Group of Friends, of which we are a member, regarding these very disturbing developments.

Ireland remains in full solidarity with LGBTIQ+ persons and their allies globally, but particularly in Türkiye right now. Ireland will continue to closely monitor developments and raise our concerns with relevant interlocutors from Türkiye, EU Member States, and at other multilateral fora.