Dáil debates
Thursday, 29 May 2025
Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions
Middle East
8:50 am
Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
I thank the Deputy. He is correct that Ireland will be pleased to play a central role at that UN conference. We have been invited by France and Saudi Arabia to co-chair one of the working groups. With Türkiye, we will be co-chairing one of the eight working groups that form part of the conference. Final details of the work programmes for each working group are to be established in the coming days. Intensive work and close political co-ordination with European and Arab partners are continuing, including through a meeting of the Madrid group, of which Ireland is a part, last Sunday. That was a precursor to the UN meeting.
The UN conference will provide an important opportunity to advance discussions on concrete initiatives, which is an important phrase, towards implementing the two-state solution, such as the implementation of the Arab recovery and reconstruction plan for Gaza, which will include addressing the need for security arrangements on the ground that respect Palestinian sovereignty and take account of Israeli security needs. A lot has happened in recent days that has been drowned out because of the horrific actions of the Government of Israel. The Arab plan talks about a future for Gaza without Hamas. There is a considerable amount of work with which we could move forward if Israel were to stop its war crimes and let the aid in and the hostages out. We can then have an exciting discussion about recovery and reconstruction.
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