Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Troy sincerely for raising this matter. He has particular insight and knowledge that not everyone in this House has concerning the importance of trade missions and, indeed, the importance of speaking truth to good friends. Everyone in this House knows the scale of devastation we are witnessing in Gaza. After more than 150 days of brutal conflict, some 5% of the population there is now dead, injured or missing. More than 17,000 children have been left unaccompanied or separated from their families. Behind each statistic and every number is a family, a child and a community utterly devastated by this horrific war. As if things were not bad enough, hunger is now the daily reality for almost everyone in Gaza. Children are reportedly already dying of dehydration and malnutrition and a conflict-induced famine looms on the horizon. Every day this conflict continues brings this man-made famine closer. All of us will have been touched by the harrowing images we have seen on television and on the Internet in recent evenings.

Time is short, but we can still improve the situation and the first step to doing so is an immediate unconditional ceasefire. For months, the Government and this House have been unequivocal in our calls for an immediate ceasefire. This remains a critical moment. I sincerely hope that a ceasefire can be secured in advance of Ramadan, which begins on 10 March.

The Government’s core position is consistent, principled and clear: an immediate ceasefire; the unconditional release of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza; and full and unhindered humanitarian access. In the event that no ceasefire is in place by the time of St. Patrick’s Day, the Deputy can count on the Government to take the urgent message of a ceasefire with us wherever we travel. St. Patrick’s Day is an opportunity not just to advance our interests and promote trade and culture but also to promote our values. That means that we will be discussing our position on the war in Gaza in all our political engagements.

The Taoiseach will certainly do so in Washington, including in meetings with President Biden and other key leaders in the US Government. This goes far beyond the shamrock ceremony and into many important bilateral meetings. The Tánaiste will be raising the matter in Canada and so will many other members of Government. I will travel to Croatia and Slovenia and will make our position clear in all my engagements.

Pushing for a ceasefire has been a focus of outreach by the Government for months. We have been pushing for that in the EU, at the UN and in a wide range of bilateral engagements, including by the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste.

The Deputy will be aware of our strong support for UNRWA. It remains the backbone of the humanitarian response in Gaza and it contributes to the stability of the wider region. When news broke about the possible involvement of a small number of UNRWA staff in the attacks on October 7, the Tánaiste was the first foreign Minister to express confidence in UNRWA leadership. In February, we contributed €20 million in funding. In Europe, in Washington and elsewhere, we made the case for UNRWA. We argued that there is no alternative and that those who suspended their funding should lift that suspension. We worked assiduously within the EU to ensure that the Commission released its committed funding of €50 million to UNRWA. We will continue to make that case including, where appropriate, as part of upcoming St. Patrick’s Day programmes.

St. Patrick’s Day is a unique moment and a chance for us to showcase who we are. It provides an unparalleled opportunity to access decisions makers all over the world. That is why 38 representatives will bring Ireland’s message to 84 cities in 47 countries. I have no hesitation in assuring the Deputy that they will be bringing with them Ireland’s foreign policy priorities, including our resolute and principled position on bringing an immediate end to this brutal war. Our demand for an immediate ceasefire, the unconditional release of hostages and unhindered humanitarian access will be at the top of every discussion for every meeting to be held in the forthcoming week. I assure the Deputy that the comments he has made will also be put forward as part of that process.

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