Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)

As the Deputy knows, at UN level we have been doing quite a lot working with other like-minded countries, particularly co-sponsoring the motion that led to the ICJ's advisory opinion in respect of the illegal occupation of Palestinian territories. We intend to continue to work with like-minded states. There is a conference coming up in June in New York, organised by a number of countries - France, in particular - and Ireland will be there to support the initiatives that will be taken at that particular conference.

We have been involved in the International Court of Justice. The Attorney General, on behalf of the Government, made a submission to the court in respect of that advisory opinion. We have also co-sponsored a resolution, which was adopted by the UN General Assembly on 18 December, seeking to implement the court's advisory opinion. The Minister for foreign affairs is progressing the occupied territories Bill and has made comments in respect of the timelines for that some weeks ago.

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