Written Answers Nos. 138-149
138. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will raise the issue of the ongoing use of Shannon Airport with United States authorities in view of recent court proceedings; and his views on the assertion expressed recently in court that the facilitation of the United States military at Shannon and the failure to inspect such traffic constitutes a breach of Ireland's obligations and status as a neutral country. [22890/22]
View answerThe Deputy is referring to a case which recently concluded in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
As indicated to the House previously, Ireland's traditional policy of military neutrality is not inconsistent with military aircraft of other states being allowed under the Air Navigation (Foreign Military Aircraft) Order, 1952, to land in Ireland under certain circumstances.
Foreign military aircraft are permitted to land in the State only if they meet strict conditions, routinely including that the aircraft is unarmed, and carries no arms, ammunition or explosives; that it is not engaged in intelligence gathering; and that it does not form part of a military operation or exercise.
Furthermore the Air Navigation (Carriage of Munitions of War, Weapons and Dangerous Goods) Order, 1973 prohibits the carriage of munitions of war on civil aircraft, including on troop-carrying civil aviation operators, through Irish airspace or Irish airports, unless an exemption has been granted by the Minister for Transport. Statistics on such exemptions are published on the Department of Transport’s website.
140. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the initiatives that he has taken to date to address the ongoing conflict in Ethiopia; the progress that has been made to ensure that humanitarian assistance is available to vulnerable persons as a result of this conflict; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23173/22]
View answerThe situation in Tigray and in other parts of northern Ethiopia is of grave concern.
The conflict within Ethiopia which began in 2020 has had a devastating impact on civilians, with many killed or injured, and reports of widespread human rights violations. Over 9 million people are in need of urgent humanitarian assistance.
Against this backdrop, I welcome the Government of Ethiopia's recent announcement of an indefinite humanitarian truce, and the statement on cessation of hostilities by the Tigrayan authorities.
Notwithstanding this progress, the situation continues to be unpredictable and access challenges an obstacle to the delivery of the needed quantities of essential humanitarian assistance persist. The possibility of a return to active hostilities remains.
Ireland fully supports the ongoing mediation work of African Union Special Envoy Olusegun Obasanjo and encourage engagement by all sides in his efforts to secure a lasting negotiated settlement and cessation of hostilities. A truly inclusive national dialogue and reconciliation process would help attain a sustainable peace.
Ireland has played a leading role in the international response to the crisis, through our bilateral engagements, at the UN Security Council and within the European Union. Ethiopia was discussed at the Security Council most recently on 14 April, when the focus was on the humanitarian situation. At that meeting Ireland called for immediate implementation of the humanitarian truce and delivery of humanitarian assistance to those most in need. A discussion on Ethiopia will take place at the Foreign Affairs Council on 16 May, a move supported by Ireland to ensure the situation in Ethiopia remains high on the EU’s agenda.
In addition to our work to ensure a continued international focus on resolving this crisis, we have also been taking action directly to alleviate the humanitarian toll of the conflict. Ireland, through the Irish Aid programme, contributed almost €25 million to the humanitarian response in Ethiopia last year and this year is providing further support to tackle ongoing humanitarian need.
142. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which he and his Department, through the European Union and United Nations continue to press for a serious investigation into the numerous human rights violations now taking place throughout the globe with particular reference to the ongoing war in Ukraine perpetrated by Russia; if Ireland’s position on the United Nations Security Council can be used to press these issues at an early date; if the international criminal courts in the Hague can be utilised in this context; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22907/22]
View answerThe promotion and protection of human rights is a key foreign policy priority for Ireland within our commitment to a strong and fair rules-based multilateral order with the United Nations (UN) at its core. Our current term on the UN Security Council for 2021-2022 actively reflects that commitment while mainstreaming human rights across all areas of the Security Council agenda.
Since the illegal, unprovoked and unjustified further invasion of Ukraine by Russian forces on 24 February, Ireland has stood in unwavering solidarity with the people and government of Ukraine. We continue to work at the UN, EU, International Criminal Court, the Council of Europe, the OSCE to bring an end to this war and to ensure accountability for violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law.
At the UN, Ireland has been at the forefront of efforts to hold Russia accountable for its actions. At the Security Council and the General Assembly, we have urged others to join us in condemning the Russian invasion and calling for an immediate withdrawal from the entire territory of Ukraine.
Likewise, in my remarks to the high level segment of the 49th Human Rights Council (HRC), I focused exclusively on the situation in Ukraine, calling for an immediate ceasefire, unconditional withdrawal of Russian forces, full respect for human rights and the holding to account of all perpetrators of violations and abuses of human rights. In March, Ireland supported the establishment of an independent international commission of inquiry, comprising three human rights experts who have already been appointed. This will complement the existing UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine deployed in 2014.
The HRC, based in Geneva, is the primary international forum responsible for advancing respect for human rights. Our previous membership of the Council (2013-15) enabled us to contribute substantively to the promotion and protection of human rights. In order to continue this work, Ireland intends to seek our next term on the HRC for the period 2027 – 2029.
The EU has also responded swiftly to impose unprecedented sanctions against Russia together with a commitment to provide over a billion euros in support to Ukraine.
Ireland regards the International Criminal Court as the cornerstone of a strong international criminal justice system and we remain consistent in our support for the Court. Ireland is one of over 40 countries that referred the situation in Ukraine to the International Criminal Court and we are providing a further €3 million which will assist with regard to all situations before the court.
143. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if coal from the Cerrejón mine in Colombia is being imported to Ireland for use by the ESB; if not, if there are plans to do so; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22881/22]
View answerAs the Deputy will appreciate, matters relating specifically to the import and export of coal, and policy in this regard, do not fall under the remit of the Department of Foreign Affairs.
However, I am aware that issues have been raised by NGOs around the operation of the Cerrejon mine, and my Department has been following developments closely.
Ireland takes a very active role in supporting human rights defenders, open civil society space and the protection and promotion of fundamental rights and freedoms in Colombia.
The Embassy of Ireland in Bogotá has visited the region of La Guajira, where the mine is located, and the mine itself. The Embassy has maintained regular contact with all relevant stakeholders in order to gain a greater understanding of the circumstances and issues around the Cerrejon mine, and has also engaged with stakeholders through the EU Delegation in Colombia.
I can assure the Deputy that officials in my Department in Dublin and at our Embassy in Bogotá will continue to monitor the human rights situation in the region of La Guajira and across Colombia, and engage on these issues.
We recognise that addressing social, land-related and environmental issues is an essential component of Colombia’s peace process and we remain committed to supporting Colombia in the comprehensive implementation of the 2016 Peace Agreement and its transition to a stable, peaceful, post-conflict society, including by means of funding channelled through the EU, the UN and various NGOs operating in-country.
More broadly, in the area of business and human rights, my Department works closely with the multi-stakeholder Implementation Group for the National Plan on Business and Human Rights. This Group regularly engages with experts and considers best practice. Most recently, at the Group’s request, my Department’s Civil Society Forum, which took place on 27 April, included a session on the EU draft Directive on Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence.
146. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of his Department’s consideration of the recommendations and conclusions from a report (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22871/22]
View answerI value the role Amnesty International and other civil society organisations play in relation to the Middle East. The Amnesty International report shines a clear spotlight on the illegal and unacceptable treatment of the Palestinians by the Israeli state.
Ireland’s position on these matters is – and will continue to be – based on international law including international human rights law, Israel’s obligations under the Fourth Geneva Convention as the occupying power in the occupied Palestinian territory, and on the relevant resolutions of the UN Security Council. Ireland has been consistently forthright in expressing concern regarding the unequal treatment of Palestinians in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory.
Ireland will continue to raise our concerns regarding discriminatory practices towards the Palestinian people, as outlined in the Amnesty and other reports, on a regular basis directly with the Israeli authorities, including during visits to the region, as well as at EU and UN level. Ireland has been proactive in consistently highlighting these issues at the UN Security Council. At the most recent meeting of the Council on the Middle East on 25 April, Ireland expressed our particular concern at the recent escalation in tensions in East Jerusalem.
As I have stated previously, Ireland’s priority is to try to find a way to change the reality on the ground. Ireland will use the recommendations and conclusions of the Amnesty International report to influence the approach that we take towards trying to protect and encourage a peace process that can deliver a two-state solution, which is the Government's priority.
149. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on substantial reform of the United Nations Security Council and Ireland's position on the reform process beyond the procedural reforms regarding the veto which took place in April 2022; if Ireland is part of United Nations Assembly and other calls for United Nations Security Council reform; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22998/22]
View answerDiscussions on reform of the Security Council take place in the General Assembly, through the ongoing Intergovernmental Negotiations framework for Security Council reform.
Ireland has long been active in these negotiations and has been consistently clear on the need to increase the size of the Security Council; to address geographic under-representation, particularly for Africa; and to see an end to the use of the veto, particularly in cases of mass atrocity crimes.
There are significant challenges in securing progress but we continue to push for change.
One important element of change that Ireland, and like-minded partners, managed to deliver recently was to give the General Assembly a role when the veto is used by a permanent member of the Security Council. Ireland was part of a core group of States, led by Liechtenstein, which brought this ‘veto initiative’ to the General Assembly on 26 April, where it was supported by the wider UN membership and adopted.
This now means that, whenever a veto is used, the General Assembly will automatically hold a debate, require the Council to submit a report and invite the Member State which used its veto to make a statement. Ireland has long called for increased accountability and transparency in Security Council decisions and this is an important new element and we are pleased that we were able to work together with other States to bring about change.
Ireland is actively engaged in seeking reforms and making a positive impact across the work of the entire United Nations. We have particular influence when we serve on decision-making bodies such as the Security Council and the Human Rights Council. Ireland intends to seek membership of the Human Rights Council for the period 2027 – 2029, where we will continue to use our voice to push for accountability, compliance with international law and the promotion of human rights.
