Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 135 and 136 together.

I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. I would like to reflect on it and come back to him with an informed view after I meet with Senator Black and my team in the Department to decide the best way to advance the commitment in the programme for Government. I acknowledge the Deputy's deep interest in this matter. I am deeply concerned by the negative trajectory of the situation on the ground in Palestine, Lebanon, where I was last week, and Israel over recent weeks. This remains a central focus of Ireland's foreign policy and my engagement with EU and international counterparts.

Regarding the situation in Gaza, the immediate focus of the international community must be on bringing the violence to an end. When we had this conversation in the Dáil approximately six weeks ago, we were talking about a fragile ceasefire and one that was imperfect. That was absolutely the case. However, hostages were being released, the bombardment of citizens had stopped and aid was finally beginning to flow. How different and dark the situation is now, six weeks later. We need to get people back to the table for talks to get the second phase of the ceasefire and the hostage release deal in place.

This matter is central to my engagement with EU partners. I welcome that the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice President of the Commission, Kaja Kallas, conveyed a clear message to both Israel and Arab partners during her recent visit to the region. In particular, the call for the full implementation of the ceasefire and hostage release deal, including the release of all hostages, a permanent end to hostilities and the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, was a timely and important message, which was conveyed by Kaja Kallas and Arab and Islamic partners following their meeting on 23 March.

The situation on the ground is deeply shocking. I have condemned the resumption of Israeli airstrikes in Gaza and the new ground offensive. They have brought fresh suffering - that is too weak a word - to the people of Gaza and have breached the ceasefire. I am deeply concerned about Israel’s decision on 2 March to stop humanitarian aid and electricity supply to Gaza. It is a despicable decision that needs to be reversed. It continues to really worsen the humanitarian crisis. There must be an immediate resumption of humanitarian aid, at scale, to the people of Gaza. Irish taxpayers have sent aid to the region, which is currently in Jordan. It includes enough food and shelter for 6,000 people but we have been unable to get it into Gaza.

On a more positive note, I welcome the recent agreement among Arab countries on a joint plan for the reconstruction of Gaza, which offers a realistic and sustainable path forward. Supporting the implementation of this plan will be a focus of my engagement with EU and international partners. I have met with my Egyptian, Jordanian and Palestinian counterparts to discuss these issues. To get to that point, we need a ceasefire and for the hostilities to stop.

I remain extremely concerned about the security situation in southern Lebanon and the impact on civilians following the expiry of the ceasefire agreement on 18 February. The recent escalatory actions by Israel in southern Lebanon and Beirut in retaliation for rockets targeting northern Israel raises concern of a potential return to full-scale conflict. The continued presence of both Israeli and Hezbollah ground forces in the area and the exchange of airstrikes and missile attacks leave southern Lebanon very vulnerable to further conflict. I discussed the situation and these concerns with the Lebanese ministers for defence and foreign affairs during my visit to Lebanon last week. I also expressed our continued support, and the support of every Member of this House, for the incredible work and bravery of the men and women of Óglaigh na hÉireann who are part of the UNIFIL peacekeeping mission in southern Lebanon. I had the absolute honour to meet those 339 women and men of the Defence Forces. I thank them for the work they are doing in building peace in the region.

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