Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 27 January 2022
29. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has discussed the ongoing war in Yemen and the humanitarian crisis with his counterparts across Europe; if consideration has been given to the imposing sanctions on Saudi Arabia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3926/22]
View answerYemen is the world's worst humanitarian crisis, driven by seven years of conflict, economic collapse and the breakdown of public institutions and services which has left over 24 million people in need of humanitarian assistance. Ireland and the European Union fully support the efforts of the UN Special Envoy for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, to bring about a political resolution to the conflict in Yemen. EU Member States are in agreement that there is no military solution to the conflict in Yemen and all parties should agree to an immediate ceasefire. In addition to significant diplomatic efforts, the EU has provided nearly €1 billion to Yemen since 2015 in development, crisis response and humanitarian assistance. At a national level, Ireland has contributed over €32 million in humanitarian funding to Yemen since 2015. As a member of the Security Council, Ireland has engaged extensively in support of the UN's efforts to end the conflict in Yemen. I have held discussions with the UN Special Envoy for Yemen as well as Major General Michael Beary, who was recently appointed as Head of the United Nations Mission to support the Hudaydah Agreement.
I have also engaged extensively with the countries of the region, including the Foreign Ministers of Yemen, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, stressing the need to work urgently towards a resolution of the conflict.
Sanctions are an important foreign policy tool for the promotion and maintenance of international peace and security. In order to be effective and impactful, sanctions generally need to be agreed by a large number of countries. For Ireland, this typically means aligning with sanctions regimes agreed at the EU or UN level. There is not currently a consensus among either the EU, or the UN Security Council, on the introduction of sanctions against Saudi Arabia. Ireland will continue to support all efforts to end the terrible conflict in Yemen, including in the context of our position on the UN Security Council and as an EU Member State.
