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Gnáthamharc

Middle East

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 24 March 2022

Thursday, 24 March 2022

Ceisteanna (106, 131)

Thomas Pringle

Ceist:

106. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the dates on which he raised the Palestinian issue with his European counterparts since his appointment to this office as he stated in Dáil Éireann on 2 March 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13373/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Thomas Pringle

Ceist:

131. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the dates on which he has met with representatives of the Israeli Government; the dates on which he has met with the Palestinian Government since his appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13372/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 106 and 131 together.

The Middle East Peace Process continues to be a key foreign policy priority for Ireland, and I have had extensive engagements with my counterparts in the Israeli Government and the Palestinian Authority since my appointment as Minister for Foreign Affairs.

I have made five visits to the region, most recently from 1-5 November 2021 when I visited Israel, the occupied Palestinian territory, and Jordan. During this visit, my engagements in Israel included meetings with President Isaac Herzog, Foreign Minister Yair Lapid, and Minister of Health Nitzan Horowitz. On the Palestinian side, I met with Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh and Deputy Prime Minister Ziad Abu Amr.

Further to my direct contacts with my Israeli and Palestinian counterparts, Irish officials continue to engage in regular dialogue with the Israeli and Palestinian authorities on matters of mutual concern, including the Middle East Peace Process.

I have also had regular engagement with my European counterparts, as well as with the European Union institutions, in relation to these issues. In addition to ongoing bilateral contacts, I regularly discuss these matters with European partners in the context of multilateral fora, including the EU and the UN. I participate in meetings of the EU Foreign Affairs Council (FAC) regarding the Middle East Peace Process, most recently on 18 October 2021. I addressed the UN Security Council on 16 May 2021 in response to the escalation in violence in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory. Ireland's representatives consistently engage in respect of our concerns at monthly Security Council meetings on the Middle East, most recently on 22 March.

Furthermore, Irish officials are in continuous dialogue with our European partners on these matters, including at the UN Security Council and via our Permanent Representation to the EU in Brussels.

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