Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 and 2 together.

I thank the Deputy. I wish him well in his new role and look forward to working with him and other members of the Opposition constructively at an important time in the world for Ireland's position on a range of foreign affairs matters.

I am conscious we are meeting against a backdrop of great fragility when it comes to the ceasefire, and I know that all sides of this House will agree on the importance of the ceasefire being maintained. It was long awaited and quite frankly took far too long, with far too many civilian deaths and far too many children having died. It has been the most horrific situation and we now need the ceasefire to hold. I am rather alarmed and concerned at some of the language I have heard in recent hours and days in respect of that situation. Everybody in the world needs to put their shoulder to the wheel to make sure that this ceasefire holds, that the hostages are released and that humanitarian aid flows.

As the Deputy is very much aware, the situation in Israel and Palestine is a major priority for the Government, as I know it is for the Oireachtas and people throughout Ireland. Our engagement is guided by our long-standing and principled position, notably respect for international law, respect for the equal right to self-determination, peace security and dignity for Israelis and Palestinians alike, and unwavering support for the two-state solution. I did set out the Government's approach on this issue in a detailed statement during Sinn Féin's Private Members' time in the Dáil last week, on 5 February. The immediate focus of the Government, and I hope that of the world, must continue to be the full implementation of the ceasefire and the hostage release deal. I welcome the release of hostages held in captivity by Hamas that has taken place to date, including the three hostages released last weekend. All hostages must be returned to their families.

We are at a critical moment for the ceasefire and the hostage release deal. A resumption of conflict in Gaza would be disastrous and everything should be done to avert this. Our focus must also be on supporting a significant and meaningful surge in humanitarian aid into Gaza at this critical time, and the Deputy will note the announcement I made in recent days in respect of the €20 million in funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, UNRWA, to support its vital work.

As the House and the Deputy are aware, in light of the July 2024 advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice, ICJ, and the subsequent advice I sought from the Attorney General, the Government decided to review the occupied territories Bill, working with Senator Black. The Government's analysis, which was stated clearly, was that substantive amendments would be required to most, if not all, of the Bill's provisions to bring it into line with the Constitution and to reduce the risk of EU infringement procedures. Our programme for Government sets out a commitment to progressing legislation prohibiting goods from the occupied Palestinian territory and these considerations will remain central to our work in this regard.

In parallel, Ireland continues to press for action at EU level in light of the ICJ advisory opinion and discussions on the EU's legal position remain ongoing in this regard. While this House will be aware there are significant policy differences among EU member states, Ireland has been consistent in recalling that, in its relations with the wider world, the EU is required by its founding treaty to contribute to "the strict observance and the development of international law, including respect for the principles of the United Nations Charter."

We are clearly at a critical moment for the Middle East and for the prospects of the two-state solution. I am determined to continue Ireland's leadership and effective engagement and to focus Ireland's efforts on the areas that will have most impact at this time.

My overarching priority is to contribute to a co-ordinated and consolidated effort by the international community as a whole to support the ceasefire and hostage release agreement and the surge of humanitarian access into Gaza that it makes possible; to safeguard the two-state solution; to work towards the return of the Palestinian Authority to Gaza in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 2735; and to uphold the equal right to self-determination, peace, security and dignity for Israelis and Palestinians alike.

We will work in line with the programme for Government commitment on legislation in relation to the occupied territories. We will work constructively with the Opposition. I look forward to sitting down with Senator Black in the coming days on this matter.

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