Middle East

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 November 2023

Thursday, 16 November 2023

Questions (68)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

68. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which he has directly, or through the aegis of the EU/UN, influenced the international community towards engaging in a permanent peace process to which both sides in the Middle East conflict could refer to in order to prevent further wars, retaliations/ill-treatment of civilians, women and children and setting out to address the specific grievances of both sides in the conflict; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50497/23]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs

Ireland is committed to achieving a just and lasting peace for Israelis and Palestinians, based on a two-State solution, in line with international law. I have repeatedly made the point in both my bilateral and multilateral meetings that it is necessary to reinvigorate a peace process and continue to engage at the European Union and United Nations on initiatives centred on the achievement of a sustainable peace.

I have reiterated the importance of supporting a peace process in my interactions with my EU counterparts at the Foreign Affairs Council and in my conversations with leaders in the region. Ireland continues to support initiatives to promote peace in the region at the UN, and supported at UN General Assembly resolution which called for a humanitarian truce, on 26 October. It is important that the efforts of the international community aimed at addressing the immediate crisis also lay the foundation for the path towards a sustainable peace in the long term.