Labour MEP Aodhán Ó Ríordáin has accused the European Commission of Trumpism after the Anti-Discrimination Directive from the European Commission’s Work Programme was deleted.
The Dublin MEP said “the withdrawal of the EU Anti-Discrimination Directive from the Commission Work Programme is an insult and a disgrace to marginalised communities in our Union.”
“This proposal, which aimed to protect people from discrimination based on religion or belief, disability, age, or sexual orientation, has been blocked by member states for 16 years. Now, rather than pushing for progress, the Commission has scrapped it altogether—without offering any alternative,” he said.
“This decision is not just irresponsible—it is a betrayal of European citizens who lack legal protection against discrimination. At a time when equality, democracy, and human rights are under attack globally, the Commission should be sending a clear message that these values are non-negotiable. Instead, it has weakened its commitment to the very principles upon which the European Union was founded.”
The EU Commission’s decision has echoes of Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s “bonfire of the quangos” in the United States where they are looking to defund anything they perceive to be as DEI.
He said the decision was a “devastating blow” for people with disabilities and said the move has the potential to impact people in Ireland.
“For people with disabilities, this is a devastating blow. Ireland already has the lowest employment rate for people with disabilities in the EU. Rather than strengthening their rights, the Commission’s decision leaves them—and many others—without the legal protections they deserve,” he said.
“We will not let this go unchallenged. Along with a number of MEPs I have written to and I am demanding answers from the Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Commissioner for Equality Hadja Lahbib and Commissioner Michael McGrath, who holds the key EU portfolio responsible for Democracy, Justice and the Rule of Law.”
Former Fianna Fáil Minister for Finance Michael McGrath took the brief of Commissioner for Democracy, Justice and the Rule of Law last November, and Ó Ríordáin said he would him to account on the topic.
“Citizens will be watching the next steps of the Commission very carefully, and we will not give up the fight for our values and hard-fought rights,” he said.