Seán Haughey (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

As everybody knows, 2023 marks the 50th anniversary of our membership of the EU. It is generally accepted that our membership has been transformative for us. It is entirely appropriate that we now take time to reflect on the past 50 years and to discuss how the EU should develop in the future. The Joint Committee on European Affairs has decided to have a series of engagements with key stakeholders in respect of our EU membership, finishing up on Europe Day in May. This will be a useful and worthwhile exercise.

Others have already spoken of the situation in Palestine. Sadly, there has been an escalation of violence in the Middle East in recent days. Tensions are running high in the region. Last Thursday, seven Palestinians were killed by Israeli troops in a raid in the West Bank town of Jenin. Palestinians retaliated by firing rockets from Gaza into Israel. There was then a shooting at a synagogue in east Jerusalem that resulted in the death of seven Israelis. That was followed by other attacks on civilians in Jerusalem and the tit-for-tat killings continue. I condemn all these acts of violence. A renewed effort is needed to restore peace in the region and to bring about a long-term political solution to the conflict. The composition of the new government in Israel, led by Benjamin Netanyahu, and his actions since becoming Prime Minister, do not give much hope for the future.

Last week, the Tánaiste, who is with us in the Chamber, attended the Foreign Affairs Council of the EU, at which a presentation was made by the Palestinian Prime Minister. The US Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken, is in the region at the moment, meeting with the political leaders on both sides. The situation is becoming increasingly hopeless. Israel is committed to prioritising, advancing and developing settlements in the Palestinian West Bank, including the validation of illegally built outposts and further annexation of territory. This ongoing establishment and expansion is contrary to international law. Of particular concern is the displacement which is taking place in the Khan al-Ahmar region of area E. It is now clear that Israel is by any definition engaging in apartheid on the Palestinian people through its laws, policies and practices. Numerous reports have found this to be the case, including the report by the UN special rapporteur on human rights in the occupied Palestinian territories, Professor Michael Lynk. Regrettably, these development diminish the chance of achieving a just and lasting two-state solution. The time has come for the international community to recognise that and to take appropriate measures in response. Unfortunately, there does not appear to be the political will to do it. I welcome the position taken by Ireland at a meeting of the UN Security Council on 19 December 2022, when, with a number of other states, we demanded that Israel immediately and completely ends all settlement activities in the occupied Palestinian territories, including East Jerusalem, and fully respects all its legal obligations in the region. In that context, Ireland too must continue its support to have these illegal occupations pursued by the United Nations through the International Court of Justice. The EU and the US need to do more generally in this regard. For political and historical reasons, as well as for reasons of international trade, many states are not prepared to do anything about these developments. They turn a blind eye. That is why it is so important for Ireland to continue to call out these developments and to demand appropriate action. It is also time for Ireland to recognise the state of Palestine, which is in the programme for Government. It seems to me there is never a right time to do so. Why not just get on and do it?

I understand that the issue of migration will be discussed at the next European Council meeting. Ireland, like many other EU states, is experiencing an influx of large numbers of international protection applicants and Ukrainian beneficiaries of temporary protection, resulting in accommodation shortages. Such a crisis has not been seen in the EU since 2015 or 2016. The issue is now on the EU agenda again and is being considered by EU justice ministers.

It is certainly a divisive issue. The EU's new pact on migration and asylum was first published in September 2020. It needs to be finalised as soon as possible. The Dublin regulation needs to be revisited and questions concerning persons arriving from known safe countries need to be addressed.

In regard to Ukraine, 24 February next marks the first anniversary of Russia’s illegal, immoral and unjustified invasion of Ukraine. Russia was expected to take control of the country in a matter of weeks, if not days. This did not happen. We are all in awe of the bravery of the Ukrainian fight-back. Russian atrocities continue. More than 40 civilians, including children, were killed in a bombing on an apartment block in Dnipro. Russia has also threatened to use nuclear weapons in the conflict. Many states have supported Ukraine in a number of ways, by supplying weapons and military advice, giving financial aid to rebuild infrastructure, providing humanitarian aid and welcoming more than 8 million refugees on the move. Each state helps in accordance with its foreign policy and military traditions. The EU must stay the course on this. The strong solidarity displayed to date must endure.

In regard to recent developments in the European Parliament, this coming Thursday the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, will address both Houses of the Oireachtas. For the sake of democracy in Europe and the whole European project, it will be of crucial importance that the European Parliament deals effectively with recent revelations about bribery and illicit lobbying activities on behalf of Qatari interests. There have also been reports about the interests of Morocco being advanced in this inappropriate way. Has this influenced the change in approach by some EU states as regards a political solution for Western Sahara, which has led to an increase in support for the so-called Moroccan autonomy plan? One would have to wonder about all of that.

I will say a few words on the restoration of the political institutions established under the Belfast Good Friday Agreement. As we know, this is linked to the negotiations between the EU and the UK on the implementation of the Northern Ireland protocol due to the actions of the DUP. With the appointment of Rishi Sunak as British Prime Minister, the mood music has become more positive. Agreement has been reached on the EU’s access to the UK’s customs and IT systems. That is a good thing. It was reported in early January that the Taoiseach had admitted that mistakes were made on all sides in the handling of Brexit and that the post-Brexit protocol could be too strict. Previously, a British Minister of State for Northern Ireland, Steve Baker, made an apology for the way Brexit was dealt with by the UK. The relationship between Britain and Ireland has been reset with the appointment of Rishi Sunak as Prime Minister. I earnestly hope that an agreed solution by all sides can be negotiated in the coming weeks as we approach the 25th anniversary of the Belfast Good Friday Agreement.

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