Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 July 2020
25. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if the membership of Ireland of the UN Security Council will be used to defend, advocate and give voice to those persons who are voiceless and dispossessed around the world. [18485/20]
View answerThis question is to ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if Ireland's membership of the UN Security Council will be used to defend, advocate and give voice to those persons who are voiceless and dispossessed around the world.
To some degree, this is a follow-up to the previous question. We are very disappointed that the programme for Government did not include such positive international actions as the Control of Economic Activity (Occupied Territories) Bill 2018 We need to look at how we give voice to and represent those people all around the world, not only the Palestinians but those in sub-Saharan Africa, certain areas within Europe and in South and Central America. Ireland has a history of being positive but we need to ensure that we make our mark. We have had a disappointing start.
I question that we have had a disappointing start. We just got elected to the UN Security Council, against the odds, which was a significant achievement for Irish diplomacy. It reminds us that a small country such as Ireland matters and when we put our mind to it, we can persuade a significant majority of countries within the UN that Ireland is a country worth trusting on the UN Security Council. That is what has been achieved. What has to happen next is that we have to use that privilege and ensure that while on the Security Council we make a real difference, in many of the areas that I hope all parties in this House will be able to support. Ireland's membership of the Security Council will be guided by the principles and values enshrined in the UN Charter, which have informed Irish foreign policy over many decades.
I will highlight three overarching principles that will guide our approach. The first is building peace, including championing the UN's role in peacekeeping, reinforcing the link between peacekeeping and peace-building, and further developing co-operation on peace and security between the UN and regional organisations. We need to ensure that peace is inclusive and fully involves civil society, particularly women and young people.
The second is preventing conflict. This means strengthening the full spectrum of the UN's conflict prevention activities, including preventative diplomacy, mediation and non-proliferation and disarmament, and addressing the structural drivers of conflict and insecurity, particularly climate change.
The third is ensuring accountability. This means upholding the rule of law, in particular international humanitarian and human rights law, prioritising the protection of civilians in conflict, ensuring humanitarian access and fighting against impunity.
As a member of the Security Council, we will make every effort to support the meaningful inclusion of marginalised persons and groups in its work. We will aim to ensure that peace processes involve not only governments and the parties to conflicts, but also civil society, women and young people, from the very beginning and throughout the conflict cycle. This is one of the lessons that we have learned from our own experience of conflict on this island. This is also in keeping with the approach Ireland has adopted in its work in support of human rights and international development co-operation. This inclusive approach will also inform our broader work across a wide range of issues on the agenda of the Security Council. We will engage with a broad range of partners in an effort to do that.
I may have allowed my own disappointment with the fact that the programme for Government does not endorse the Control of Economic Activity (Occupied Territories) Bill 2018 to cloud what I said. I accept that we have a positive role to play.
On the role we play, I would like to ensure we are going to be there to represent and advocate on behalf of people who have been dispossessed. Based on our own freedom it is absolutely vital that we look to the interests of those people throughout the world who are under the cosh and do not have human rights. I am very glad to hear language about attacking the drivers of conflict. Can the Minister give any specifics from his Department about possible moves we will make, whether in relation to Palestine or to south and central America, which I mentioned, or any other trouble zones throughout the world? These are areas where we can hopefully advocate and make a difference on behalf of people who are up against it and sometimes up against major global powers.
I can understand the frustration the Deputy has outlined. My position on the Control of Economic Activity (Occupied Territories) Bill 2018 has been made very clear to this House on many occasions. We cannot do something we are not legally allowed to do and that is the clear advice I have on that Bill. That being said, this week alone I have spoken to the new Israeli foreign minister, this morning to the Saudi foreign minister, and I am meeting the Palestinian ambassador tomorrow. I also spoke to the US Secretary of State, Mr. Mike Pompeo, and most of that conversation was focused on the Middle East peace process and my concerns about it. As such, I wish to reassure the Deputy and the House that within the UN, be it on the Security Council, the General Assembly, or other arms such as the Human Rights Council or elsewhere, Ireland will continue to raise the issue of the Middle East peace process and the need to find a way forward that is fair to both sides. This will be done with a view to trying to achieve a two-state solution whereby two viable states can live side by side in peace. We are a long way from that right now but Ireland will work in every way it can toward achieving that aim.
One of the things we will have to do is to choose and volunteer to chair certain committees. We are going to try to focus on areas where Ireland has both capacity and credibility. Those committees have not been decided yet but they probably will be decided by the end of August or, if not, by mid-September but it will be well in advance of us taking our seat on 1 January 2021.
sI welcome what the Minister says. I accept the logic of looking to particular issues where we have capacity and credibility. As such it is vital that we choose where we can make an impact and a positive one. I welcome the conversations the Minister has had already. I know he cannot go into specifics but what positives, if any, has he taken from his dealings with either the Israeli ambassador or the administration? I welcome the fact that he is having a follow-up meeting with the Palestinian ambassador. I would say the Minister's conversation with the US Secretary of State was very interesting.
On the Control of Economic Activity (Occupied Territories) Bill 2018, we have had disputed legal affirmations about whether this State would come under pressure of fines. There are a number of eminent people who have said we would not and that it is something we should be brave in taking action on. Has the new Attorney General given an updated legal argument on the Bill?
I wish to reassure the Deputy. This was the first opportunity I have had to speak to the new Israeli foreign minister. We had a long conversation lasting about 35 to 40 minutes. It was welcome. I have not spoken to him before this, he has not been in government before now. I believe in engagement. I believe in direct conversation and building relationships. That is the way to persuade people of one's point of view. That is the way one tries to influence governments in other parts of the world with which one may disagree on policy direction. That is the way Ireland can be most impactful in trying to give assistance and support to what I hope in time will be an acceptable peace agreement for both Israelis and Palestinians. That is our only objective here and it should be our focus.
