Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 25 January 2024
37. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will outline his Department’s and the Government’s recent international interactions and planned future engagements on the issue of Gaza and the wider Middle East; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3289/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra41. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which he continues, unilaterally or through the aegis of the EU/UN, to influence the situation in the Middle East with particular reference to the setting up of a permanent peace process to which Israeli and Palestinians can refer their grievances on a regular basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3224/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra80. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will provide an update on the work at EU and UN level which Ireland is undertaking in pursuit of peace and of a two-state solution in the Israel Palestine conflict. [2981/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 37, 41 and 80 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. Ireland’s diplomatic efforts have focused on the urgent need for a sustainable humanitarian ceasefire and a significant scale-up of humanitarian access and supplies into the Gaza Strip.
On Monday, I attended the Foreign Affairs Council of the EU in Brussels, which the Israeli and Palestinian Foreign Ministers as well regional representatives also attended. I 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. At meetings of the EU Foreign Affairs Council since the Hamas' attack on 7 October, I have consistently emphasised that a purely military approach is unworkable and called on my EU counterparts to push for a humanitarian ceasefire. I stressed the need for the EU response to evolve as the situation changes.
I travelled to the region from 14 to 16 November to engage directly with my Egyptian, Israeli and Palestinian counterparts and urge an immediate humanitarian ceasefire. I also expressed my grave concern about the humanitarian situation on the ground. Keeping these channels of communication open is the most effective way to make our voice heard.
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, Qatari, Saudi, Lebanese, Turkish and Emirati counterparts.
Ireland’s actions to demand a ceasefire have also reflected our strong commitment to multilateralism. Last November, I attended the Regional Forum of the Union for the Mediterranean, alongside EU and regional partners to convey Ireland’s position on the conflict. Ireland voted in favour of both United Nations General Assembly resolutions calling for a ceasefire, and participated in the United Nations Security Council open debate on 24 October.
It is important that our efforts to address the immediate crisis also contribute to a sustainable peace in the long term. I will continue to underline this point in my engagements with EU, regional and international partners and will advocate for a clear EU position, which emphasises the need for a sustainable humanitarian ceasefire.
