Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 December 2023
126. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs in light of statements from Israel’s Heritage Minister that the dropping of a nuclear bomb on Gaza was ‘one of the possibilities’ with regard to Israel's ongoing assault on Gaza, whether or not it is the position of the Irish Government that the state of Israel possesses nuclear weapons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53464/23]
View answerAs I stated at the time of Minister Eliyahu’s remarks, comments of this nature are deeply concerning and unhelpful. I note that they have been dismissed by the Israeli Government.
Achieving a world free from nuclear weapons is a long-standing priority for Ireland. Israel has consistently refused either to confirm or to deny that it possesses nuclear weapons.
Ireland takes full opportunity at the multilateral and bilateral levels to call on Israel and all outstanding countries to accede to relevant treaties including the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW), and the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT).
Ireland believes that all states have a legitimate stake and interest in the pursuit of nuclear disarmament and we discuss this with all states on that basis. Ireland and Israel are among over 40 participating states in the Creating an Environment for Nuclear Disarmament (CEND) initiative. Ireland also continues to strongly support UN efforts towards the establishment of a Middle East Zone Free of Nuclear Weapons and Other Weapons of Mass Destruction.
