Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 December 2023
115. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs to list all meetings or telephone calls he has had with the foreign ministers or ambassadors of Israel, Lebanon, Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates from 7 October to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53318/23]
View answerSince 7th October, I have had valuable contact with many of my counterparts in the Middle East region regarding the current situation in the occupied Palestinian territory and Israel. My conversations focused on efforts to secure a durable humanitarian ceasefire, the release of hostages including Emily Hand, and the safe exit of Irish citizens from Gaza.
During my recent visit to the region, I met in person with the Palestinian Foreign Minister and the Foreign Ministers of Israel and Egypt. I also met the Foreign Ministers of Lebanon and Saudi Arabia at the Union for the Mediterranean Summit in Barcelona on 27th November.
In recent weeks, I have spoken by telephone with the Foreign Ministers of Israel, Egypt, Jordan, Iran, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, as well as with the Lebanese Defence Minister.
In the ordinary course of my work, I have meetings with many resident Ambassadors. In recent weeks I met collectively with the resident Arab Ambassadors, a group that included the Palestinian Ambassador-Head of Mission, the Ambassadors of Egypt, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, as well as the Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of Iraq. I have also met with the Israeli Ambassador. Lebanon, Jordan and Qatar do not have resident Embassies in Ireland and I have not met with their Ambassadors since 7th October.
In line with the EU’s Strategy for Syria, which the Government continues to support, I have not engaged with any members or representatives of the Syrian Government.
