Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 25 January 2024
15. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs what measures the Irish State is taking to bring about a ceasefire in Gaza; the Government's position on the conditions of a ceasefire; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3389/24]
View answer61. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has spoken with his EU counterparts in relation to the urgent need for a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3140/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 15 and 61 together.
I have been engaging intensively with EU, regional and international partners since the beginning of this crisis in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory. During all of these engagements I have conveyed the same message: there is an urgent need for a humanitarian ceasefire, the immediate and unconditional release of hostages, and a significant scale-up of humanitarian access and supplies into Gaza. Ireland’s diplomatic efforts are focused on these three core elements.
Immediately following the attack by Hamas, I attended an extraordinary meeting of EU Foreign Ministers on 10 October where I underlined the importance of principled and collective action by the EU and its Member States. In subsequent meetings of the EU Foreign Affairs Council during October and November, I emphasised that a purely military approach was unworkable and called on my counterparts to urge for a humanitarian ceasefire. I stressed the need for the EU response to evolve as the situation changes. On 1 November, I spoke bilaterally to the EU High Representative and discussed the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza. On 22 January, I attended an intensive Foreign Affairs Council of the EU in Brussels, which was attended by the Israeli and Palestinian Foreign Ministers as well as regional representatives. I stated Ireland’s key priorities and reiterated that the EU must be robust in underlining that international law applies in all conflicts, to all parties, state actors and non-state actors alike.
I travelled to the region from 14 to 16 November. During this visit, I met then Israeli Foreign Minister Cohen, President of Israel, Isaac Herzog, Palestinian Prime Minister Shtayyeh and Foreign Minister Malki, and Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry and Secretary General of the Arab League, Ahmed Aboul Gheit. Across my engagements, I expressed my grave concern about the humanitarian situation on the ground and reiterated my call for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire.
In my discussions with regional leaders, I have conveyed the message that urgent de-escalation and a ceasefire must be prioritised. I have spoken with my Iranian counterpart and urged him in the strongest terms to bring his influence to bear in avoiding regional escalation and in insisting on the immediate and unconditional release of hostages. I have also engaged with the Lebanese Defence Minister as well as my Egyptian, Jordanian, Saudi, Qatari and Emirati counterparts.
Ireland’s actions to demand a ceasefire have also reflected our strong commitment to working through multilateral channels. Ireland also voted in favour of both UNGA resolutions and participated in the United Nations Security Council open debate on 24 October to call for a ceasefire.
It is important that our efforts aimed at addressing the immediate crisis also lay the foundation for a pathway towards a sustainable peace in the long term. I will continue to underline this point in my ongoing engagement with EU, regional and international partners. I will continue to advocate for a clear position from the EU, which emphasises the need for a sustainable humanitarian ceasefire and remains alive to the evolving situation.
