Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 7 March 2024
13. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he could provide an update on the current situation in Gaza; outline what actions the Irish Government is taking at both EU and UN levels to contribute to a resolution of the ongoing issues in the region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11140/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra18. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if Ireland has encountered any difficulties with EU partners by virtue of taking the most pro-Palestinian stance in the Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11136/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra27. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs how Ireland has taken the lead in Europe in supporting Arab peace initiative resolutions at the UN; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11137/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra69. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs his engagement to date with his EU counterparts and members of the UN Security Council on the potential Israeli attack on Rafah; his views on the statements by the Secretary General of the UN regarding "An all-out Israeli offensive on the city” (Rafah); what Irelands response to such an attack would be; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10252/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra73. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which he, unilaterally or in conjunction with other heads of government throughout the EU, can make further positive intervention with a view to the establishment of peace initiatives in the Middle East. [8110/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 13, 18, 27, 69 and 73 together.
I remain focused on the dreadful situation in the Gaza Strip, where the current situation is a humanitarian disaster. I fully believe that an Israeli military escalation in Rafah, where almost 1.5 million people are sheltering in desperate conditions, would be catastrophic. We need an immediate ceasefire, the immediate and unconditional release of hostages and a drastic increase in humanitarian access.
I have been engaging intensively with our partners in the European Union, in the region, and internationally since the beginning of this crisis in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory. Ireland’s diplomatic efforts have consistently focused on the urgent need for a ceasefire and a significant scale-up of humanitarian access and supplies into the Gaza Strip.
Ireland has also worked to encourage accountability for Israeli actions. Ireland participated in legal hearings on the consequences of Israel’s occupation and the Taoiseach has written to the European Commission on the subject of reviewing the EU-Israel Association agreement along with the Prime Minister of Spain. Ireland will continue to use legal and political channels to address possible infringements of international law.
At meetings of the EU Foreign Affairs Council, I have emphasised that we urgently need a comprehensive, political track to end this conflict and called on my counterparts to urge for a humanitarian ceasefire. On 19 February, 26 EU Member States issued a statement that called for an immediate pause in fighting and urged Israel not to undertake further military operations in Rafah.
I have also stressed the need for the EU response to evolve as the situation evolves. On 22 January, I attended the Foreign Affairs Council of the EU in Brussels, which Israeli, Palestinian and regional Foreign Ministers 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.
The Foreign Affairs Council of the EU on 19 February was also a good opportunity to urge countries to reinstate funding to the leading humanitarian provider in Gaza, the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA). I was pleased to see the decision by the European Commission to release €50 million in funding for UNRWA with a further €32 million to follow, and to increase its overall humanitarian aid for Palestinians in 2024. The role that UNRWA plays, both in Gaza and in the wider region, is crucial and irreplaceable.
Thus far, we have not achieved EU-wide consensus on the best approach to addressing the current crisis in Gaza. However, I continue to express Ireland’s long-standing and principled commitment to the rule of law and protection of human rights. As a member of the European Union, Ireland is committed to maintaining meaningful engagement with other member states on this issue despite differences in perspectives.
As the Deputies will be aware, I also travelled to the region from 14 to 16 November to engage directly with my Israeli and Palestinian counterparts and to urge an immediate, humanitarian ceasefire. I expressed my grave concern about the humanitarian situation on the ground and reiterated my call for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire. 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 my Egyptian, Jordanian, Qatari, Turkish, Saudi, Lebanese, Iraqi and Emirati counterparts. These discussions have informed the leading position that Ireland has taken among EU counterparts to build momentum for a sustainable solution rooted in Arab peace initiatives.
Ireland’s actions to demand a ceasefire are visible in our strong and consistent commitment to multilateralism. 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. Although, I welcome the Security Council vote for increased humanitarian aid last December – I have been very disappointed by the failure of the Council to act decisively on this conflict thus far.
In the past few weeks, I attend the Munich Security Conference where I spoke with a range of counterparts from the Middle East and wider Europe. Last November, I also attended the Regional Forum of the Union for the Mediterranean, alongside EU and regional partners to convey Ireland’s position on the conflict.
It is important that our efforts to address the immediate crisis also contribute to a sustainable peace in the long term. I will 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.
