Speaking today, Irish Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaelteach Heather Humphreys said: "We must defend the right to artistic freedom and freedom of expression. The EU was founded on the principles of freedom, security and justice, combined with the respect for cultural diversity within the Union. The atrocities of recent days in Paris make it clear that we must strive more than ever to uphold these ideals.
"I am joining with Culture Ministers across the EU to emphasise the importance of artistic freedom. Without it, we would live in a deeply constrained society. Freedom of expression is something to be celebrated, to be safeguarded and to be embraced as a basic tenet of an open and democratic society.
"I would like to extend my sincere sympathies to the people of Paris, who have endured a terrifying ordeal in recent days. The French killings were a fundamental attack on freedom. Today, we stand side by side the French people and our European neighbours in a collective declaration of freedom and unity."