Middle East

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 December 2023

Tuesday, 5 December 2023

Questions (130)

Matt Carthy

Question:

130. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs his response to President of the European Commission burdening NGOs with bureaucracy in an attempt to stem aid to Palestine, in the spirit of an announced cessation of aid to Palestinian rebuked by Ireland and other member states, and despite a recent review having concluded that existing safeguards ‘work well’ and that ‘no evidence has been found to date that money has been diverted for unintended purposes’; and so as to ensure parity of treatment with regard to aid to Palestine and trade with Israel, in line with statements of the Taoiseach, the actions he has taken to limit trade with Israel in a comparative manner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53480/23]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs

Continued development and humanitarian support for the Palestinian people is absolutely essential.  We have welcomed the increase in EU humanitarian assistance to Gaza to over €100 million so far this year. 

We had called for the review of assistance to Palestine, announced by the Commission, to be carried out swiftly and in close consultation with member States.  I take note of the conclusion of the review, and welcome in particular the conclusion, as we would have expected, the Commission’s existing controls and safeguards work well and that there is no evidence that funding has been diverted for unintended purposes.

In light of the proven effectiveness of already extensive safeguarding measures, we are continuing to work with our fellow EU Member States and the Commission on clarifications around the review’s recommendations. We believe that additional controls, as proposed by the Commission, could have a negative impact on EU assistance to the Palestinian people. 

It is also more important than ever that the EU steps up its political engagement with the Palestinian Authority. We have called for the opening of negotiations as soon as possible on a full Association Agreement, which would formally be concluded upon Palestinian statehood.

Ireland's long-standing development and humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian people has been provided as an integral part of our contribution to the achievement of a just, enduring and stable peace based on a two-State solution.  So far this year, we have provided a total of €29 million in development and humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian people. We expect to be in a position to announce further support shortly.

We remain steadfast supporters of our trusted partners in their efforts to deliver needs-based humanitarian and development aid in the most appalling conditions. The only way to avoid any further suffering is to ensure a sustainable ceasefire, which we encourage all parties to renew, and to ensure the protection of civilians.  These are prerequisites for the re-establishment of a credible political process.