Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar has asked for the upcoming Irish EU presidency’s assistance in closing the protracted disciplinary procedure against Budapest for allegedly undermining the bloc’s legal standards and democratic values.

Since September 2018, Hungary has been targeted by proceedings, accused of breaching the rule of law under Mr Magyar’s predecessor, nationalist Viktor Orban.

Such proceedings can in theory result in the suspension of a member state’s voting rights in the EU Council.

Since taking office last month, Mr Magyar has made visits to Brussels and key EU member states, including Germany and France, seeking to improve relations that were tense during Mr Orban’s tenure.

Last Friday, the EU announced it would unlock more than €16 billion for Hungary that were frozen over rule of law concerns during Mr Orban’s rule, if the central European country stays on track with a major reform push.

“We will count on the (Irish) presidency’s help in concluding the ongoing Article 7 procedure against Hungary,” Mr Magyar said, after talks with Taoiseach Micheál Martin, who is the first European leader to visit Budapest since the election in April that ended the 16-year term of Mr Orban.

Mr Magyar said he plans to meet European Parliament President Roberta Metsola on the margins of a mid-June EU summit to discuss bringing an end to the proceedings “as quickly as possible”.

“To achieve this, the European Parliament must first withdraw its complaint – the decision that initiated the proceedings – and then the council must also close the proceedings,” Mr Magyar added.

Mr Martin promised Mr Magyar that Ireland would work closely with the EU’s main executive body, the European Commission, to help Hungary unlock the frozen funds.

“I welcome Prime Minister Magyar’s commitment to restoring the rule of law and democratic standards in Hungary. Placing your country back at the heart of the European Union,” the Taoiseach said.

“You have our support in the task of implementing the domestic reforms required, which I know you and your government have already made great strides in achieving.”

Ireland will assume the EU’s six-month rotating presidency from 1 July, taking over from Cyprus.

Mr Magyar said it was a privilege to welcome the Taoiseach adding that Hungary valued, “the very pragmatic and balanced approach of Ireland,” to its EU presidency.

He noted the Irish focus on EU competitiveness saying, “you can count on us.”

The new prime minister said he believed the EU Budget would be the biggest challenge to the Irish term, with so many competing interests.

On EU enlargement, the Taoiseach called for progress on an agreement on the rights of Hungarian minorities in Ukraine, which has led to optimism that Hungary could drop its veto on Ukraine’s membership of the EU.

“The fact that we’re now in a position to open negotiations is a welcome step, and we should take that as a good start,” he said.

“It’s in Ukraine’s best interest to follow through now and to implement legislatively the commitments that have been given to Hungary on that front.

But Mr Magyar cautioned that, “opening a (EU negotiating) chapter is not the same as closing it,” saying Ukraine must implement “other obligations that it has taken towards the EU.”

As well as a working lunch with the new prime minister, the Taoiseach visited the Hungarian parliament and met Irish-Hungarian community leaders.

Mr Martin said: “The Irish and Hungarian people have shared a remarkable resilience and have strong cultural and community ties.

“I look forward to discussing how we can further strengthen our connections with the new administration in Budapest.”

Taoiseach vows to publish ‘details’ of Aughinish Alumina probe

The Taoiseach said that +he will publish “the details” of an investigation being undertaken by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment into the export of alumina from Aughinish Alumina.

Mr Martin did not provide a timeline for the completion of the investigation which was prompted by reports from a consortium of European investigative media outlets that the Shannon-based plant was shipping a majority of its alumina exports to Russia, and that raw material was making its way into aluminium-based weapons.

“We are concerned about any reports that the products from Aughinish – the raw material from there – would be used to assist Russia in waging its brutal war against Ukraine,” the Taoiseach said.

He added the inquiry would “work beyond” the company itself.

The company is not on an EU sanctions list, Mr Martin said, as such a move “would have repercussions on a European-wide basis.”

“That still is the position from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.”

Asked whether he saw a route back into Government for Independent TD Michael Healy-Rae, who said this week that he felt he had to resign as a minister of state at the Department of Agriculture after comments by his brother, and fellow TD, Danny Healy-Rae, during the fuel price protests in April, Mr Martin said: “He has outlined his views and, you know, it’s a matter for Michael in the first instance in terms of supporting the government.

“I regretted the fact that he resigned from Government. I didn’t think at the time that that was necessary or the correct course of action. And I think he’s clearly having challenges in terms of that issue.

“I think he regrets it himself, perhaps, and he is a positive, constructive individual, so he will contribute as a parliamentarian in the next number of months and years, of that I’ve no doubt, constructively.”

The Taoiseach was also asked about the arrest of Fianna Fáil TD Malcom Byrne, and said that he abhorred drink driving.

“That’s a very serious issue. The gardaí are pursuing that matter and we await developments on that.”

On whether Deputy Byrne would face political punishment if charged, Mr Martin said he would not pre-empt the “full facts.”

The Taoiseach confirmed that he had spoken to the Wicklow-Wexford TD over the weekend.