Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I accept that, but it is important that Department of Foreign Affairs officials are not misrepresented in their comments. I stand by their integrity in what they say.

I am submitting an amendment on behalf of the Government that sets out the full range of meaningful actions taken by the Government as well as our broad approach to important recent developments and current considerations.

Last month saw agreement on a long-awaited ceasefire and a hostage release deal. This has brought much-needed hope and relief to the people of Israel and the people of Palestine, whose lives have been devastated by conflict. I have welcomed the release of the hostages - sadly, the Opposition motion is silent on that - who have been returned to their families since the deal came into effect. We reiterate that all remaining hostages must be returned to their families. I recall the motion previously adopted by this House, which unreservedly condemned the brutal attacks perpetrated by Hamas and other terrorist organisations on 7 October 2023, which indiscriminately and systematically targeted civilians. The taking of hostages in any scenario is unconscionable. In the 16 months since then, this House has often expressed its deep concern about the unacceptable loss of civilian life and the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza. We underlined that Israel had a right to defend itself from attack but any such right had to be exercised in line with international law, including international humanitarian law. With a ceasefire deal now in place, our priority bilaterally and as a member of the European Union must be to make sure the ceasefire is implemented and upheld and the hostage release deal continues.

We must also focus on steps that will support the provision of urgently needed humanitarian assistance into Gaza, something that the people of Gaza and Palestine and the Palestinian Authority are crying out for. While there has been a much-needed increase in the volume of aid entering Gaza in recent days, we need to see this significantly scaled up and the return of basic services, the provision of shelter and a clear framework under which those who have been displaced by the conflict can return home.

I recognise the efforts of many countries to help bring about a ceasefire. These mediation efforts must continue to ensure that the agreement is implemented in full in all of its phases. Of course, there will be a need for international involvement, including by the United States and others, in order to stabilise and reconstruct Gaza, but let me be clear: this country, the European Union and international partners have been consistently clear that there can be no forced displacement of any civilian population from Gaza nor occupation of the strip by Israel. A two-state solution and the right of the people of Palestine to determine their own future has to be the destination. Any move to relocate any population against its will is absolutely contrary to United Nations Security Council Resolution 2735 of 10 June 2024, which rejected any attempt at demographic or territorial change in the Gaza Strip. The Irish Government and Ireland are clear on that. The focus of the international community has to be on ensuring that efforts are made to continue the implementation of the ceasefire.

Against this backdrop, it was enormously disheartening, to put it mildly, to see the entry into force last week of Israeli legislation that will have far-reaching consequences for UNRWA's operations in Gaza and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. No other UN agency or actor has the capacity or infrastructure to replace UNRWA's unique mandate. Ireland has provided more than €51 million in support for the Palestinian people since October 2023. This includes €38 million in core support for UNRWA, increasing our contribution to UNRWA when others were withdrawing theirs. It also includes contributions to the UN's Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the World Food Programme and others. Ireland has been a long-standing supporter of UNRWA and we will continue to support its vital mandate. I hope this Dáil can speak with one voice on that.

The UN Security Council has reiterated its unwavering commitment to the two-state solution and stressed the importance of unifying the Gaza Strip with the West Bank under the Palestinian Authority. The EU is active in its support to the Palestinian Authority and is taking action on the ground. Last week, the EU's civilian border assistance mission for the Rafah crossing point was redeployed at the request of Palestine and Israel in agreement with Egypt. The redeployment of EUBAM Rafah is a positive development, which Ireland has worked for and strongly supported.

The Government has continued to maintain the intensive engagement with international partners, notably EU and Arab partners, that has been the hallmark of our approach. As Tánaiste, I have continued these contacts, including in recent days. At the Foreign Affairs Council last week, I underlined the need to focus on the urgent humanitarian needs in Gaza while also taking a longer term perspective that prioritised the two-state solution, including addressing threats to its viability. I have also had calls with a number of counterparts, including the Jordanian foreign minister. Ireland is centrally involved in the work of the Global Alliance for the Implementation of the Two-State Solution, which was formally launched during last year's UN high-level week. This includes close co-operation with Arab and Gulf partners, including Saudi Arabia.

As set out in the programme for Government, the situation in the Middle East remains a central foreign policy priority. Notably, the programme advocates for a sustainable peace between Israel and Palestine through the realisation of the two-state solution. Ireland was proud to recognise the State of Palestine in May of last year. We took this important step to keep hope in the two-state solution alive. Throughout this terrible situation, Ireland has bilaterally and at a multilateral level repeatedly called on Israel to comply with international law, stressing the universal applicability of international law, including international humanitarian law. This commitment has been supported by our actions. On 6 January, Ireland filed a declaration of intervention in South Africa's ICJ case against Israel under the Genocide Convention. A declaration of intervention was also filed in the Gambia's case against Myanmar on 20 December 2024. The purpose of both interventions is for Ireland to set out the factors it considers relevant in assessing whether a state has properly fulfilled its obligations under the convention.

I am clear on what the programme for Government says. Following the July 2024 International Court of Justice advisory opinion, the Government will progress legislation on the occupied Palestinian territories. As Taoiseach, I sought the updated legal advice in that regard. We will work with Senator Black and across the House on this matter but I must be honest, in that the issues are not technical issues, as Sinn Féin has portrayed them. There are major legal issues. The people of Ireland need to know that. "Pass the Bill now" sounds great-----

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