Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

We have diplomatic relations with Saudi Arabia and conduct trade with it. Am I to understand that the Minister has confronted Saudi Arabia on its use of cluster bombs in Yemen? Has Ireland condemned its military efforts in Yemen, where unbelievable atrocities are taking place? I am not so sure. Perhaps the Minister will get back to me on that. With the help of US weapons and intelligence, the Saudis have been bombing and blockading Yemen for a number of years. Since its beginning, the Obama Administration sold $115 billion in weapons to the Saudis, more than any previous US Administration. The Minister made the point that the UK sales occurred before the late 1980s. However, the US is still selling weapons to Saudi Arabia, and they are being dropped on Yemeni civilians. It beggars belief that a neutral country such as Ireland would not be screaming from the rooftops that this is an incredible atrocity and is totally unacceptable and that we want no part or parcel of it. Has the Irish State made direct, serious complaints to the Saudis on this issue?

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