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

As the first permanent international court with the power to prosecute international crimes, the ICC has a crucial role to play globally in fighting impunity for atrocity crimes. The court provides a means of bringing to account the perpetrators of these crimes. In this way, it promotes and upholds the international rule of law and contributes to the cause of international peace and justice. Ireland has consistently valued the vital role played by the ICC and has provided strong political, moral, practical and financial support to it since it was established.

The situation in Palestine was first referred to the court prosecutor in 2018. The pretrial chamber confirmed the jurisdiction of the court in 2021 and the prosecutor then opened his investigation into the situation in Palestine. That investigation continues and covers any crimes committed from or in Gaza during the conflict that began there on 7 October.

On 20 May, the ICC prosecutor announced that he had applied to the pretrial chamber for arrest warrants in respect of the situation in Palestine, including warrants for the leadership of Hamas and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and defence minister Gallant. The chamber’s decision remains pending.

As with any case, if, in due course, Ireland were to receive a request for the arrest and surrender of a person who is subject to an ICC arrest warrant, it will be dealt with here under the relevant provisions of the International Criminal Court Act 2006. In this context, let me emphasise the critical importance of respecting the independence and impartiality of the ICC. The Government and I have condemned all recent threats against the court and its officials. It is essential that they be allowed to carry on with the tasks entrusted to them under the statute.

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