Government decision to join lawsuit against Hungary’s ‘Foreign Agents’ law welcome – Ward

Fine Gael TD for Dún Laoghaire, Barry Ward, has welcomed the Government decision to join other EU member states in a European Commission led case against Hungary’s implementation of a package of laws known as the “defence of national sovereignty” law.

In place since 12 December 2023, these laws criminalise foreign funding of election campaigns and establish the so-called Sovereignty Protection Office (SPO), with broad investigative powers. They also created a government authority with the power to gather information on any groups or individuals that benefit from foreign funding and influence public debate, which can be investigated by Hungary’s secret services.

Barry Ward TD said: “I fully support the decision of An Tánaiste, Simon Harris’s to add Ireland’s name to the list of countries supporting the Commission’s case against Hungary. It is extremely important that a marker is put down when a member state blatantly flaunts fundamental freedoms that are important to all citizens of the EU.

“Ireland’s support for this case also establishes our bona fides in standing for the rule of law, minimum standards of democracy, individual rights, and the protection of minorities,” he added.