Minister James Browne visits Vilnius
Minister of State for Law Reform and Youth Justice James Browne TD visited Vilnius on 14-16 September 2023.
Minister Browne met with Lithuanian Minister for Justice Ewelina Dobrowolska. They discussed the war in Ukraine, efforts to tackle hate speech and hate crimes in both countries, and Ireland and Lithuania’s upcoming EU Presidencies in 2026 and 2027.
The Minister then met with Carlien Scheele, Director of the European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE). Minister Browne informed Director Scheele about progress on gender equality in Ireland, including a planned agency to combat domestic, sexual and gender-based violence. They then had a good exchange about how EIGE and Ireland can work together before and during Ireland’s 2026 EU Presidency, and how Ireland can further support EIGE.
Following the meetings, the Minister attended Vilnius University Library to open the ‘Into Europe: Ireland & the EU 1973-2023’ exhibition. The exhibition, translated into Lithuanian, explores Ireland’s relationship with the EU over our 50 years of membership.