Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 July 2023
32. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if a parliamentary delegation to an event (details supplied) was an official delegation with the involvement and support of his Department, a delegation of which he had prior knowledge were attending; by whom the visit was paid; if it was an official trip, under what budget; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35926/23]
View answer34. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if two documents presented at an event (details supplied) are official Irish Government documents and-or if they were presented to or voted on by either Dáil Éireann or Seanad Éireann at any stage before being presented, in light of the fact that both purport to represent the majority views of both Houses, and-or if he has been presented with either by the delegation in question; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35928/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 32 and 34 together.
The Department of Foreign Affairs did not have prior knowledge of a delegation made up of members of the Oireachtas attending the event referred to and is not aware of how the delegation's attendance at the event was funded. The Department is not familiar with the documents referred to by the Deputy and can confirm that these are not DFA documents or documents approved by Government.
I would also note that it is not the policy of the Irish Government to engage with the organisation mentioned in the Deputy's question. The organisation concerned was previously listed as a terrorist organisation by the EU, although this designation was lifted by a European Court ruling in 2008.
