Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I do not believe that a resolution to the humanitarian crisis in Yemen will be solved by sanctionsper se. I think it will be solved by political engagement across the region and at UN level.

Regarding Ireland's position on arms exports to Saudi Arabia and the UAE, Ireland does not supply military equipment to any of the parties to the conflict in Yemen. Arms exports are a national competence in the EU but all EU member states are subject to the common position on arms exports. Each arms export licence must be assessed against eight criteria, including that the recipient country must respect international humanitarian law, and it is for each state to make this assessment as a national competence.

Having been involved in many discussions with different parties in the region in trying to find a way forward on this issue, including Iran, which I visited last year, I believe that this issue will be resolved through politics and diplomacy rather than sanctions.

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