Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 25 April 2024
116. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will outline his Department's engagement with the United States regarding the role of the US government in the arming of Israel amid the ongoing bombardment of Gaza, particularly in light of the recent UN Human Rights Council resolution calling for a halt to arms exports to Israel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18654/24]
View answerOngoing US engagement is essential to finding a solution to the current conflict in Gaza and restoring a political pathway. At the most recent session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in February 2024, Ireland co-sponsored three resolutions on the conflict, including a resolution on the “Human rights situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and the obligation to ensure accountability and justice”.
In February 2024, I visited Washington DC and Chicago for a range of high level political meetings among other engagements. In Washington, I met with members of the bipartisan Congressional Friends of Ireland Caucus, as well as Senators Chuck Schumer, Chris Murphy, Jon Ossoff and Lindsey Graham, and Democratic Minority Whip Katherine Clark. I also met with the Deputy National Security Advisor, Jon Finer, and USAID Administrator, Samantha Power. In all of these meetings I gave Ireland’s clear position on the war on Gaza, including in relation to the importance of support for the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA). I also took part in a public event with the Atlantic Council in Washington, where I made clear Ireland’s position on the unacceptable humanitarian situation in Gaza, called for an immediate ceasefire, the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages, and a massive scaling up of humanitarian aid.
When the former Taoiseach travelled to Washington for St Patrick’s Day, he highlighted to President Biden Ireland’s priorities, namely calling for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, increased humanitarian access and the immediate and unconditional release of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza. Recently, the Taoiseach also met with former Speaker of the US House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, who recently called for a halt of weapons transfers to Israel, in a letter to President Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
My officials meet with representatives from the US Embassy in Ireland and the Government will continue to engage intensively with the US on this crisis in bilateral and multilateral settings at official and political levels.
