Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

30. To ask the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on EU and international affairs will next meet [2681/25]

Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Solidarity)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

31. To ask the Taoiseach when the next meeting of the Cabinet committee on EU and international affairs is taking place. [6172/25]

Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

32. To ask the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on EU and international affairs will next meet. [6428/25]

Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Solidarity)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

33. To ask the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on EU and international affairs will next meet. [6431/25]

Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

34. To ask the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on EU and international affairs will next meet. [6985/25]

Martin Daly (Roscommon-Galway, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

35. To ask the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on EU and international affairs will next meet. [7674/25]

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

36. To ask the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on EU and international affairs will next meet. [7676/25]

Catherine Ardagh (Dublin South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

37. To ask the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on EU and international affairs will next meet. [7809/25]

Ivana Bacik (Dublin Bay South, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

38. To ask the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on EU and international affairs will next meet. [7361/25]

Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Solidarity)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

39. To ask the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on EU and international affairs will next meet. [7940/25]

Shane Moynihan (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

40. To ask the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on EU and international affairs will next meet. [7942/25]

Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 30 to 40, inclusive, together.

The Programme for Government 2025: Securing Ireland's Future, recognises the importance of Cabinet committees to the policy development and oversight work of Government. The Cabinet committee on EU and international affairs was established by the Government on 18 February 2025. Its role is to oversee implementation of programme for Government commitments in relation to the European Union, including preparations for Ireland's Presidency in the second half of 2026, and international issues. Its membership comprises the Taoiseach, Tánaiste, Minister for Finance and Minister for public expenditure. The Minister of State with special responsibility for European Union affairs is invited to the Cabinet committee meetings. The Cabinet committee will meet quarterly in advance of regular European Council meetings and as required. It is currently scheduled to meet on Monday, 3 March.

Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I raise with the Taoiseach the remarks made by the US President - or I should say the threat made by the US President - in respect of the Gaza Strip, in which he openly countenanced the mass expulsion of the Palestinian population and the annexation and seizure of those lands and their development, he seemed to suggest, into some form of Riviera. I would like the Taoiseach to agree with me that any such threat runs directly against the protections of international law and humanitarian law for a refugee population.

I would like him to agree with me that the Palestinian people have suffered enough. Their dispossession is now decades - generations - long. Generations have grown up and have known nothing other than refugee camps. Will he also agree with me that the answer in the Middle East is dialogue, engagement, respect for international law and that we cannot countenance or tolerate any player, the United States or any other, going it alone and flying in the face of that? Will the Taoiseach also join with me in calling on the United States to cease and desist from arming the Israeli onslaught on the Palestinian people? Our European colleagues and our British friends might also follow suit. Finally, on the occupied territories Bill, I put on record our collective disappointment that the Taoiseach has stepped away from what was a very clear-cut commitment to put that law on the Statute Book. I urge him to change direction, to recommit to that and I give him the assurance that Sinn Féin and, I believe the entire Opposition, will work with him co-operatively in that regard.

Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Solidarity)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I am very concerned about the plight of the Palestinian people, as I am sure we all are, but I am also specifically concerned about Irish citizens who the Taoiseach's Department helped to get out of Gaza. In particular, he may recall Ibrahim Alagha, whose family I am sure the Taoiseach and his Department officials played a role in assisting in November 2023. One of the family members got left behind. He was only 18. He is now 19 and he is marooned and alone in Egypt, in a strange country. He is the brother of Ibrahim and the brother-in-law of Ibrahim's wife. If I can pass this information to his Department, will the Taoiseach assist them in any way? I know he met with them after they returned to Ireland. They are extremely concerned and cannot sleep while worrying about this young person every night. They have applied for family reunification status but it has got clogged up in the system for a number of years, or if could be a number of years unless there is some help from officials from the relevant Departments. Will the Taoiseach look at that situation?

Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

It seems to me that there is a crisis in terms of the EU's commitment to even its own human rights legislation and to international law. The newly elected Chancellor of Germany has invited Benjamin Netanyahu to Germany. This is somebody who has an arrest warrant out for him by the ICC for genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and the new German Chancellor is inviting him to Germany. Now, that is very serious because Germany is one of the most important countries in the EU and basically what it is saying is that it does not give a damn about international law, about human rights or the crimes for which the ICC has indicted Benjamin Netanyahu. It is giving two fingers to international law. That poses a pretty serious problem for the EU. There is also the fact that an Irish MEP and other MEPs on an EU delegation on a pre-organised visit by representatives of the EU to Israel have been deported. Israel is given favoured trade status by the EU and then an EU delegation goes to Israel, they are not allowed in and are deported because they criticised the Israeli Government for genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity. Does the Taoiseach agree this is a pretty serious crisis in terms of the foreign policy, the ethical stand, the commitment to human rights and international law facing the European Union? Has he any comments?

Martin Daly (Roscommon-Galway, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Given the current fluid international political climate and the apparent disengagement of the US from European security, Ireland may be expected to contribute more to EU security. Historically, we have under-invested in our security forces, relying on others to protect our airspace and waters. With the need to protect our infrastructure and secure our borders, do we have a strategy for formal security co-operation to address potential threats or attacks on ourselves or the European Union?

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The peace-loving international community has been transfixed in recent years by the sheer horror of what we have seen happening in Palestine and in Ukraine. However, there are many other places in the world where all is also not well. Has our Cabinet committee on EU and international affairs and, indeed, our Department of foreign affairs in consultation with our European partners, been looking at the plight of women and girls in Afghanistan, for example, under the tyranny of the Taliban regime? Have we looked at what has been happening in Belarus where in January of this year in a faux election Lukashenko was elected with 88% of the vote? Some of us here would have loved to get level of support in the past and we could not manage it. It is hard to believe Europe's last remaining dictator is still in power after 31 years. Has the Taoiseach or the Minister for foreign affairs had any contact with Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, the real leader of the Belarusian people, who is living in exile in Lithuania?

Catherine Ardagh (Dublin South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is deteriorating rapidly. Rwanda-linked M23 rebels are advancing in the eastern regions around Lake Kivu, escalating violence and displacing thousands of people. The UN Security Council has called for an immediate cessation of hostilities and for Rwanda to withdraw its forces. Will the Taoiseach clarify Ireland's position on this conflict? Are we aligned with the UN's stance on Rwanda's involvement? Has the Government raised this issue at EU or multilateral level?

Ivana Bacik (Dublin Bay South, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I spoke earlier on the huge risks posed to the international rules-based order by the Trump presidency. It is a very important time for us to stand in solidarity with those campaigning for democracy. I am thinking of those in Ukraine and those of course in the democratic opposition in Belarus and in other countries around the world. Here at home, the Taoiseach said yesterday that Ireland would spend more to help Ukraine. Will he commit to retaining the accommodation recognition payment that supports more than 36,000 Ukrainians in Ireland? There have been reports that it will be cut. Other Opposition parties have called for it to be cut and reduced. I want to be sure the Government will commit to retaining the payment. The temporary protection directive has been extended to March 2026 so will he commit to retaining the ARP at least for that period?

Shane Moynihan (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

First, will the Taoiseach let the House know when he intends to have his first engagement with the new German Chancellor designate, Friedrich Merz? Second, since the United Kingdom has left the European Union, I know the Government has been actively looking to form alliances with other smaller member states as well. Will the Taoiseach update the House on the efforts and the strategic direction that the Department of foreign affairs and his Department are taking with regard to forming those alliances with other member states in the EU to advance our common interests?

Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Sean Brown was a father of six, a lifelong GAA member and official and a highly respected member of his community. On 12 May 1997, while locking up the gates of the Bellaghy Wolfe Tones GAA club in Derry, he was abducted and viciously murdered. He was murdered because he was a Catholic and because he was the chairperson of his GAA club. Bridie Brown, Sean's wife, attended the recent GAA congress in Donegal to plead for help in the search for justice. The family have attended court 57 times in their search for justice and they have said they have met with silence, excuses and denials. They said the police investigations were a failure, an insult and a cover-up of British state collusion. The high court in the North has said there must be a public inquiry of Sean's murder but the Northern Secretary, Hilary Benn, is appealing that court order. Given the suffering the family has been put through in the long block for their search for justice, this latest move by the British Government is disgusting. Will the Taoiseach directly appeal to the British Prime Minister that there is a speedy inquest into the murder of Sean Brown?

Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I thank all the Deputies who have raised issues in respect of this committee about to be established. Ireland has taken a very consistent approach in terms of the Middle East, believing in a two-state solution.

Deputy McDonald, I think, raised the question. She is not here yet, but I will just make the point that our fundamental view is that Palestinians are entitled to their homeland. It needs to be said, by the way, whether you like it or not, that President Trump played a role in the ceasefire. I read several accounts of what transpired in terms of getting a ceasefire. Our focus must be on copper-fastening and consolidating that ceasefire because any return to a war would be absolutely horrendous in respect of Gaza or the West Bank.

Some time back, I met with an NGO. Mary Robinson spoke to me about it. It is an NGO that is developing the idea of a land-for-all initiative. It is a different approach, but we have to look at approaches that will ensure Palestinian rights within their homeland. How you configure that in the time ahead is something we need fresh thinking on. Everybody talks about the two-state solution, but we have watched for several years-----

Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I do not. I talk about one state and a land for all.

Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Please, I did not interrupt the Deputy. I am just making my point. I am talking about other European countries, and many do. President Trump's involvement in that phase was critical. From an Irish, European and global perspective, we must keep focusing on a step-by-step approach and consolidating getting the second stage of the ceasefire over the line and then ensuring there is a massive surge of humanitarian aid and the reconstruction of Gaza. We have pressed very strongly for UNRWA, in particular, to be given absolute freedom of movement and action within Gaza because it is the only agency that can provide schools, medicines and various services to the Palestinian people.

If Deputy Coppinger can pass on the information to me, I certainly will pursue the matter. There is something in the back of my head in respect of why there is an issue. The Deputy was saying the young man is in Egypt. Is that correct?

Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Solidarity)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Yes.

Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Our embassy and consular staff in Cairo have been extremely helpful to many people. If the Deputy sends on the details, I will follow this matter up and come back to her.

To respond to Deputy Boyd Barrett, there have been different perspectives across the European Union, to put it mildly, in respect of the Middle East. Germany, because of its history and the Shoah, the Holocaust, has always had a different perspective on the Middle East. Many, including people in Ireland, find that difficult to comprehend but it is the reality. It is the reality in German politics irrespective of what political party people represent, by and large. I was not aware that Prime Minister Netanyahu had been invited but it would not surprise me given the engagement between the German political system and the issue.

Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

That is the ICC gone.

Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I know, but I am just saying to the Deputy that the realities, in terms of German politics, are such that there has always been that sense I already referred to. Former Chancellor Scholz said that the raison d'être of the modern Germany, post-war Germany, was to ensure the survival of Israel. That is what Chancellor Scholz said time and again, and he is not the first German politician to say it.

Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I understand the context.

Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I only say that by way of enlightenment. That is how people see it from their perspective.

Deputy Martin Daly made a key point. First of all, I would not say the US has disengaged quite yet. Different things are happening and things are getting said. I do not think we should do a running commentary given the changes occurring. President Macron's visit yesterday was interesting. Prime Minister Starmer will visit. The tectonic plates look like they are shifting in terms of the world order, or the multilateral, rules-based order, but we should not give up on it yet. There is a lot to play for in terms of the rules-based international order and the role of smaller countries.

Regarding an increased defence capability, yes, we are a member of the Partnership for Peace with NATO where we have developed an individually tailored plan for increased capability and resilience in cybersecurity and on subsea cables and maritime security. We are also a participant in PESCO, which is a European Union initiative, again on cybersecurity, predominantly, and on maritime security as well. We have a programme of investment in our Defence Forces on an ongoing basis.

Deputy Ó Fearghaíl correctly raised a whole range of other cases. What is happening in Sudan is appalling and it gets no mention from anybody. Some 12 million people have been displaced and there is one group of warlords, but nobody is saying a word about it anywhere.

Deputy Ardagh is correct. By the way, concerning Lukashenko, Europe has raised these issues. Ireland has raised the issue of women and girls in Afghanistan, alone with a number of other countries. At the high-level week in the UN in September, I hosted jointly with the Foreign Minister of Canada and others an event on women and girls in Afghanistan. Ireland has been very supportive of women and girls in Afghanistan to try to keep the issue high on the international agenda and in the UN system. We will continue to do that. I have been particularly interested in this matter over the last two years, especially in my capacity as the Minister for Foreign Affairs. We have met and keep up our contacts with Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, who is, as the Deputy said, the real leader of the Belarusian people. We will continue to do that. It is incomprehensible that Lukashenko can do what he is doing, but he is supported by President Putin. Let us be under no illusions about it.

Deputy Ardagh has raised what is a very alarming situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, with Rwanda supporting the M23 rebels. Again, this issue needs to be highlighted and given sharper focus. Ireland has raised it at international forums and in the UN system as well. What is happening there is very alarming.

No decision has been made yet on the accommodation recognition payment, but my comments were not really about that because that is a domestic situation. My comment concerned the fact that there has, essentially, been a veto of the European Peace Facility where Ireland had made significant commitments on non-lethal assistance to Ukraine. Hungary has vetoed that. We have to find alternative mechanisms around that to give additional aid. The EU is also looking at new mechanisms to provide aid, financial support, to Ukraine and Ireland will also participate in that. I was referring to that and to the humanitarian aid we have been bilaterally giving to Ukraine on an ongoing basis.

Deputy Shane Moynihan raised the issue of alliances and so forth. For quite some time, we have been part of the Nordic–Baltic Group and we are developing an alliance, although that might be too strong a word to use. We meet together and take common positions on a number of files within the European Union.

Deputy Tóibín raised the Sean Brown case. I raised the case with Hilary Benn when I was the Minister for Foreign Affairs. Again, the issue here is that the Secretary of State is saying he is appealing based on broader issues, not ones specific to the case of Sean Brown who was viciously murdered. There was, without question, collusion there. The broader issue is how we deal with legacy more generally in a comprehensive way. The talks and discussions have been around the legacy Act and changes to it. Prime Minister Starmer and Secretary of State Benn have brought about significant changes since they were elected and after the change of government in the UK. The issue is whether the ICRIR can be restructured to enable us to get a solution that would deal with investigations and information retrieval and separate out the two in a way that would earn the confidence of victims groups. Ultimately, there are many other cases as well that are not getting closure.

Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Will the Government demand that the inquest goes ahead?