Middle East

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 March 2022

Tuesday, 29 March 2022

Questions (347)

Patrick Costello

Question:

347. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the proposals contained in a recent report (details supplied); his views on whether the proposal that this entire situation should be referred to the International Criminal Court; his further views on whether an international tribunal should be established to try alleged perpetrators of international crimes; the concrete action he intends to take at European Union and United Nations level in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15762/22]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs

I refer the Deputy to questions 15351/22 and 15466/22 answered on 24 March and to my recent statements in the Dáil on the report mentioned.

Ireland’s position on these issues is, and will continue to be, based on international law, including Israel’s obligations as the occupying Power in the occupied Palestinian territory under the Fourth Geneva Convention. I remain deeply troubled by the lack of accountability for violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law arising out of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. I note that the Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court opened an investigation into the situation in Palestine in March 2021 and that the Court has jurisdiction over crimes against humanity, amongst other alleged international crimes that have occurred in the occupied Palestinian territory since June 2013. Ireland is a party to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court and views the Court as the cornerstone of the system of international criminal justice.