Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 13 to 17, inclusive, together.

I took part in an extraordinary meeting of EU leaders by video-conference on 17 October, convened by President Michel following Hamas’ attack on Israel on 7 October.

At the meeting, we reaffirmed our statement of 15 October: condemning Hamas for its brutal and indiscriminate attack; acknowledging Israel’s right to defend itself, while reiterating the importance of ensuring the protection of civilians at all times in line with international humanitarian law; calling on Hamas to release all hostages without precondition; and expressing our commitment to a lasting and sustainable peace based on a two-state solution.

At the meeting, I called for a humanitarian pause to hostilities to enable the delivery of humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza and to facilitate EU citizens who wish to leave to do so safely.

The situation in the Middle East was also discussed at the meeting of the European Council in Brussels on 26 and 27 October.

Reaffirming our statement of 15 October, leaders also expressed our grave concern at the deteriorating situation in Gaza and called for continued, rapid, safe and unhindered humanitarian access though all necessary measures, including humanitarian corridors and pauses. We reviewed the state of play and different strands of EU action, including efforts to assist EU citizens caught up in the conflict. We also stressed the need to avoid escalation in the region and the importance of engaging with partners in this regard, including the Palestinian Authority.

Leaders also emphasised the need to redouble efforts on restarting the peace process based on a two-state solution and welcomed diplomatic initiatives and the holding of an international peace conference.

I welcome the UN General Assembly resolution adopted on 27 October, for which Ireland voted, calling on all parties to respect international humanitarian law in all circumstances, to ensure urgent unimpeded access for humanitarian assistance in Gaza, and calling for de-escalation.

The Government will continue to work with EU and international partners to seek to bring about an early ceasefire so that essential supplies can reach people in Gaza and so that Irish citizens who wish to leave can do so safely.

At the European Council meeting on 26 and 27 October, we reiterated our unwavering solidarity with Ukraine and its people in the face of Russian aggression.

EU and member state assistance made available to Ukraine is now more than €82 billion.

Leaders welcomed the extension of the temporary protection for displaced persons from Ukraine until March 2025 and expressed their full commitment to Ukraine’s recovery and its reconstruction.

In addition, we held in-depth discussions on the proposed review of the European Union’s multi-annual financial framework or budget; participated in a Euro summit; held a strategic discussion on migration; and considered important external relations issues, including COP 28, the normalisation of Kosovo-Serbia relations, efforts to advance a lasting peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan and the situation in the Sahel.

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