Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I open my remarks by sending my own best wishes and those of Sinn Féin to the EU ambassador, Aidan O'Hara, and his family following the attack on him in Sudan. It would be a major relief to all who know him and to all of us whom he serves that he has been reported to be in good health following the attack. The protection of diplomatic facilities and staff is an obligation under the Vienna Convention. This attack serves to underscore the fragility of the situation in Sudan which has seen nearly 200 people killed and 1,800 wounded. The responsibility for the protection of diplomats rests primarily with the government of the host country. It is also important that the Irish Government and the European Union ensure that these situations are closely monitored to ensure that all efforts are utilised to protect our representatives in conflict zones such as Sudan. The current unrest does not serve the interests of the Sudanese people. A cessation of all hostilities is now needed to facilitate the resumption of talks in support of a permanent transition to democratic administration.

Táim an-sásta an deis a bheith agam labhairt mar urlabhraí Shinn Féin do ghnóthaí eachtracha den chéad uair. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Teachta Brady as a chuid oibre agus táim ag tnúth le dul i dteagmháil leis an Tánaiste agus lena Roinn faoi chúrsaí reatha an lae. I am pleased to have this first opportunity to participate in a Dáil debate as Sinn Féin spokesperson on foreign affairs and defence. I take this opportunity to commend An Teachta Brady for his work in this role. I look forward to engaging with the Tánaiste and his Department.

I take this opportunity to commend the Department of Foreign Affairs, alongside the Taoiseach's office and indeed your own efforts, a Ceann Comhairle, in the organisation of the successful visit of the US President, Joe Biden, to Ireland last week.

The European Council meeting on 24 March strongly reiterated Europe's condemnation of Putin's criminal invasion of Ukraine. For more than a year now in breach of international law, Russia has waged a barbaric war against innocent men, women and children. We have heard the testimonies of brutal war crimes committed against civilians, human rights violations the likes of which we thought we would never again see in Europe. The upholding of justice, human dignity, democracy and sovereignty demands that Russia ends its war immediately and unconditionally. This is the only way that the journey to peace can begin. I note that the Council welcomed February's resolution of the UN General Assembly on the principles of the Charter of the United Nations underlying a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine. This underscores the unity of the international community to bring the war to an end. Peace and human dignity must prevail.

The unedifying stance taken by Russia has been matched by the unified stance taken against Russia's invasion. It shows just how powerful a force Europe can be in the quest for peace, freedom and human rights throughout the world. This principled leadership has united the peoples of the European Union in the face of despotism and against the dogma of "might is right".

It is this same force for good, this unwavering support in the face of tyranny, for which the beleaguered people of Palestine cry out. Last week's merciless raid conducted by Israel's police on worshippers at Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem demonstrated once again the brutality faced by Palestinians every day. The people of Palestine live under an apartheid regime designed and cruelly enforced by Israel. It is an apartheid regime that sees Palestinians killed, imprisoned and tortured, that sees Palestinian lands annexed and illegally settled, and Palestinian homes bulldozed into dust. The story of the Palestinian people is a story of colonisation and dispossession at the hands of one of the world's most fearsome military powers. On far too many occasions the international community has looked the other way when Israel commits horrific human rights abuses in Palestine.

Europe confronting Putin's barbarity in Ukraine and strongly confronting Israel's brutalisation of the Palestinians are not antagonistic endeavours; they go hand in hand. Dignity, honesty and principle demand that we do both. I believe that Europe can be a champion for the upholding of human rights for Palestine, for the ending of Israel's occupation and the apartheid regime, and for the building of a lasting peace based on justice, freedom and nationhood. Europe with one voice must speak up for Palestine. Europe must act and the Irish Government must lead by example. We must now see the enactment of the Control of Economic Activity (Occupied Territories) Bill which was passed by the Dáil in 2019. Rather than further delay, there must be no more excuses. The Government must also at long last recognise the State of Palestine, recognition that was supported by both the Dáil and the Seanad eight years ago but has yet to happen.

In an incredibly complex world Ireland stands as a strong voice for peace and justice in our world. We have achieved this powerful position not through military might or military alliance but by way of our respected tradition of neutrality and through our strong unequivocal moral principles and values. The intensifying efforts by the Government to erode Ireland's military neutrality is wrong. Instead, we should be pushing for the recognition and acknowledgement of the military neutrality and non-aligned countries within the EU treaties and EU basic law. This must happen in our Constitution also.

Last week President Biden said that Ireland carries the moral authority with nations across the world. The erosion of Ireland's military neutrality also erodes any such authority. Increasingly volatile international situations and crises will require an increasing need for interlocutors and those who can and are willing to facilitate dialogue and talks. While much has been commented and discussed about the increased militarisation in Europe, I would counsel the Taoiseach and the Minister of State that though itself complex, the manufacture of the mechanisms of war pale in comparison to the complexity and challenge of manufacturing credibility as a facilitator and partner of peace. Ireland today has such credibility and authority this must not be squandered. Ireland also has a story to tell the world. In recent weeks we have celebrated the 25th anniversary of the signing of the Good Friday Agreement. Despite all its faults, it remains a beacon of hope to peoples who are engaged and suffer as a result of conflict throughout the world. We can proudly show the world the message that when great minds come together with the political will, great changes can be made. Just as the Good Friday Agreement could not and would not have been delivered and subsequently upheld were it not for the international support we received from the United States and the European Union, so too will we continue to need their support not only in continuing to uphold that agreement but also as we move forward to the big constitutional debates contained within that agreement itself.

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