Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

First, I continue to engage with my European Union counterparts on the crisis in the Middle East. I have made Ireland's position on the conflict clear at the Foreign Affairs Council. I have consistently urged the European Union to support an immediate ceasefire and to impose sanctions on violent Israeli settlers. I called on the European Commission and on European Union partners to restore funding to UNRWA and I welcome the recent announcement by the Commission to provide an immediate €50 million in funding to UNRWA. The Taoiseach and the Prime Minister of Spain have also written to the President of the European Commission on the subject of reviewing the European Union-Israel Association Agreement.

The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, has been clear on the need for Israel's response to the attacks on 7 October by Hamas and other militant groups to be in line with international law. In a statement on 9 November, President von der Leyen expressed clearly the need to protect and save lives in Gaza while ensuring humanitarian access.

The European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice President of the European Commission, Josep Borrell, has been consistent and unambiguous in efforts towards a political solution to this crisis and has maintained extensive engagement with both the Israeli and Palestinian leadership, as well as regional partners, to bring an end to the violence and commence a political pathway towards peace.

President von der Leyen has been a strong advocate for the protection of Irish interest throughout the Brexit process. She also provided important leadership in the European Union and support to Ireland during Covid. She has provided consistent leadership on the European Union's multifaceted response to Russia's aggression in Ukraine.

On 6 and 7 March, at the European People's Party congress in Bucharest, the President of the European Commission is expected to be officially named as her party's candidate.

Ireland will conduct extensive consultations, both internally and with our European partners, before deciding which nominee to support in the European Council.

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