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European Union

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 10 February 2022

Thursday, 10 February 2022

Questions (308, 309, 310, 311)

Gary Gannon

Question:

308. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to a funding suspension which an organisation (details supplied) has been subjected to by the European Commission since May 2021 in order to investigate if a project had been subject to infringements of obligations or irregularities; if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that although this review which was described as a precautionary measure was completed in July 2021, that no breaches or wrongdoings were identified but the suspension has not been lifted; his views on whether the failure by the European Commission to clear the name of this organisation is causing major difficulties for it at the moment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7354/22]

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Gary Gannon

Question:

309. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will make strong representations to the European Commission seeking clarification on the reasons that a deferment of funding has continued since July 2021 with regard to the continued suspension of funding by the European Commission for a human rights organisation (details supplied) although no anomalies were discovered; the specific legal grounds for the continued suspension of funding; if his attention has been drawn to the impact of the current situation on the organisation’s human rights work; if he will express the Government’s discontent in relation to the deferment; if he will request the European Commission to expedite the restoration of the funding given Ireland’s continued support for the organisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7355/22]

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Gary Gannon

Question:

310. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the European Commission has continually conceded that Israel has failed to present any concrete credible evidence against an organisation (details supplied) as one of the six designated NGOs for which there is a continued suspension of funding by the European Commission for the human rights organisation; his views on whether this appears to be an effort by Israel to obstruct the work of the NGOs that monitor, report and promote accountability for violations of human rights and international law by Israel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7356/22]

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Gary Gannon

Question:

311. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the European Commission has suspended funding to some of the six Palestinian human rights NGO organisations labelled by Israel as terrorist entities in October 2021; if so, the organisations that have been penalised in this way; if his attention has been drawn to the purpose or rationale of this initiative; his views on the destabilising effect and the potential devastation that the European Commission’s actions will have in undermining the work of Palestinian civil society; if he will raise the issue at European Union level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7357/22]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 308 to 311, inclusive, together.

I have repeatedly expressed my concern regarding the designation of six Palestinian NGOs as terrorist entities by the Israeli authorities. This includes organisations in receipt of support from Irish Aid and the EU. I spoke in detail on this matter in reply to a Parliamentary Question on 27 January. Ireland is fully committed to funding civil society organisations and human rights defenders in Palestine as a key part of our support for the Palestinian people.

As set out in the previous reply, Ireland is working closely with our EU partners on the issue. EU officials have engaged with Israeli authorities regarding the basis for these designations and I understand that the European Commission's consideration of the information provided by the Israeli authorities is ongoing. Irish officials at the Permanent Representation to the EU remain in close contact with the Commission on this matter. Ireland regularly discusses Middle East Peace Process issues with the European Commission and European External Action Service and this issue was most recently raised by my officials on 28 January. In addition, Ireland’s Representative Office in Ramallah and Embassy in Tel Aviv are actively engaged with the EU and other stakeholders locally. Past allegations of the misuse of EU funds in relation to certain Palestinian civil society partners have not been substantiated.

Ireland has also repeatedly raised this issue at the UN Security Council, including most recently on 19 January. I made a statement on 27 October expressing concern after these designations were made, and directly raised this matter with Israeli officials during my visit to the region from 1-5 November.

Ireland will continue to support Palestinian civil society organisations and human rights defenders and the critical role they play in promoting international law, peace, human rights and democratic values.

Question No. 309 answered with Question No. 308.
Question No. 310 answered with Question No. 308.
Question No. 311 answered with Question No. 308.
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