Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South-Central, Sinn Fein)
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3. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if Ireland will be represented at the emergency ministerial conference in defence of international law and the rights of the Palestinian people on 15 and 16 July 2025 in Bogotá. [38024/25]

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South-Central, Sinn Fein)
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An emergency meeting next week in Bogotá has been called by the Republic of Colombia and the Republic of South Africa. It will be attended by a variety of countries concerned at the current situation and the breaches of human rights. They include Spain, Portugal, Uruguay and many others. It has been called in response to the escalating violations of international law in the occupied Palestinian territory. Will the Irish Government be represented?

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The very short answer is that we will. Both I and my officials interact with a wide variety of international partners on the Middle East. This remains a major priority for the Government and, I know, for the people of Ireland, who are rightly repulsed by what they see happening, particularly in Gaza but also in the West Bank. Ireland’s 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 Palestinians and Israelis alike, and unwavering support for the two-state solution. While Ireland is not a member of the group referred to by the Deputy, as he knows, the Government is committed to working with all partners around the world in service of these objectives.

Ireland will be represented at an official level from our embassy at the meeting in Bogotá next week, on 15 and 16 July. At the EU level, the situation in Israel and Palestine remains a standing item on the Foreign Affairs Council each month. The next meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council will also take place on 15 July, where this will be discussed again. Ireland has been centrally involved in the work of the Global Alliance for the Implementation of the Two-State Solution, which was founded at UN high-level week last year and has met several times since then. Across all of our bilateral and multilateral engagement, Ireland has consistently underlined the need for all parties to comply with international law, including international humanitarian law. Ireland is a steadfast supporter of the International Criminal Court - I want to say that because this is a court coming under incredible attack - as well as being a supporter of the principles and values enshrined in the Rome Statute.

My overarching priority, and the overarching priority of the Government, is to contribute to a co-ordinated and consolidated effort by the international community as a whole to support a return to a ceasefire, a hostage release agreement and a surge of humanitarian access into Gaza. This all makes it possible to safeguard the two-state solution and 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.

I look forward to the Government being represented at official level in Bogotá next week.

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South-Central, Sinn Fein)
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I welcome that. I thank the Department and the Tánaiste for ensuring that is the case. It is important. The approach required is to ensure Ireland is using its voice collaboratively with countries internationally and individually. The Tánaiste has articulated that in the past. There are far more actions domestically that we could take undoubtedly, and we have had many discussions on that, but the international component is vital. The Tánaiste made the point in relation to the occupied territories legislation. Many countries attending that event would be sympathetic to potentially advancing legislation of this kind that might expand the potential impact of that type of legislative approach.

One of the biggest issues at the moment, although far from the only one, is the killing of people who are waiting for humanitarian aid. It is appalling. That accounts for about 80% of the people who have been killed in recent weeks. I regret to say that some cover was given to the Israeli Government by Kaja Kallas a number of months ago by her attitude towards UNRWA, which was reprehensible.

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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There are a couple of things there. First, the Deputy is right; quite a few like-minded countries may well consider looking at what we have done here and introducing their own domestic legislation. What I was trying to say in response to the last question is that we are in contact with quite a number of European countries that are inquiring as to our legislation, and I hope others will join us in publishing their own domestic legislation. We would all rather act at an EU level, although we know that has not made the progress we collectively would want it to make. In the meantime, member states can consider what domestic remedies are available to them through their own legislation. It is a narrow path, but we believe the ICJ advisory opinion provides a path as well.

The big priority right now has to be a ceasefire. The Deputy is right in saying the humanitarian aid is beyond urgent and the release of the hostages is beyond urgent too. I believe some progress is being made in the ceasefire talks. I met the Qatari Prime Minister on this last week. However, those talks need to deliver a resolution. In relation to the European position, Kaja Kallas and the likes, of course the European Union has significantly increased its contribution to UNRWA at a time when other parts of the world have walked away.

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South-Central, Sinn Fein)
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I would nonetheless make the point that the rhetoric employed by her and her office at that early juncture gave political cover to the Israeli Government and the US to undermine the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine, UNRWA, and put in place their own position.

I welcome the fact we will be attending the emergency meeting because it is important to work with other countries. I will ask the Tánaiste to respond to two final points. I know the granting of visas is strictly a competency of the Department of justice but they are processed through the Department of foreign affairs. It is disappointing that the visas for the representatives of the Lajee Cultural Center and GAA Palestine have not been processed. Some of this is about political will and involves contacting the organisation, working through whatever issues exist and ensuring they are worked through quickly. That must happen in the context of the appeal because these are vitally important initiatives. I urge the Tánaiste to work through that with the Department of justice.

I ask the Tánaiste to respond to the extraordinary announcement last night by the US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, in respect of sanctions on the UN special rapporteur, Francesca Albanese. That kind of direct attack on a UN special rapporteur is appalling.

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I agree with the Deputy on the last point. Any attacks or sanctions on UN representatives are attacks not just on them but on multilateralism. Ireland remains a steadfast supporter of the work of the United Nations and the special rapporteur. It is a deeply concerning development.

On the issue of visas, the Deputy is right that it is a competency of my colleague, the Minister for justice. I am, however, ad idem with him on this, as is the Government. Every system must have rules. The awarding of visas must be done in accordance with strict criteria, including issues around ensuring child protection documentation and the likes, for very good reasons. I do not overly want to comment on individual applications other than to say that appeals processes are available to anyone. I am sure many will consider that.