Tony McCormack (Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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6. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if she will provide an update on Ireland’s current diplomatic priorities in light of recent international developments, with particular reference to Ireland’s role in promoting peace, security, and the protection of human rights abroad; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [66633/25]

Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Deputy for his timely question. Ireland's diplomatic priorities are set out in the Department of Foreign Affair and Trade's statement of strategy for 2025 to 2028, which includes active diplomatic engagement in promoting peace, security and the protection of human rights abroad. We pursue these objectives against the backdrop of a changing geopolitical landscape and a wide range of challenges that require global solutions. In this context, the Government prioritises reinforcing the multilateral system and the international legal order with the UN Charter at its heart. The Government also prioritises developing and maintaining strong and wide-ranging bilateral relations with key international partners.

Our membership of the European Union, the world's longest and most successful peace project, is central to how we ensure our security, prosperity and well-being as a country. As the Minister outlined to Deputy Ó Muirí, our preparations to hold the Presidency of the Council of the European Union in the latter half of next year are well under way.

Ireland is actively engaged in international efforts to bring an end to Russia's illegal war of aggression against Ukraine. The Government is committed to providing continued political, humanitarian, economic and non-lethal military support to Ukraine. Responding to conflict in the Middle East is also a priority. The Government consistently advocates at EU and UN level for the two-state solution and the equal right to self-determination, peace and security for Palestinians and Israelis alike, as well as full adherence to international law and international humanitarian law.

Ireland continues to prioritise to the promotion of human rights in a period where human rights norms are facing considerable pushback. Reflecting our commitment in this area, Ireland's campaign for the election to a seat on the Human Rights Council from 2027 to 2029 was launched last week in New York. Ireland prioritises engagement in support of a stable and secure international environment through conflict prevention, peacekeeping and peacebuilding, disarmament and non-proliferation, and promoting the resolution of disputes through multilateral diplomacy based on the principles of the UN Charter. The Government also makes sure that we have a full focus on foreign and security policy and common security and defence policy in a range of multilateral institutions, including the UN, Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, OSCE, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, OECD, and the Council of Europe.

Tony McCormack (Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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The Minister of State mentioned Ireland's commitment to peace and human rights. Given that negotiations between Russia and Ukraine are now under way, can Ireland use its strong reputation for principled diplomacy to support these efforts? Does the Minister of State see a role for Ireland within the EU, UN or OSCE in helping to reinforce the conditions for a credible, just and durable peace, including humanitarian protections and respect for international law?

Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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There are a couple of elements to that. The negotiations under way in Geneva between the US and Ukraine are welcome, but Ireland is not a direct party to them. One issue that came up at the Foreign Affairs Council, which I attended virtually yesterday, was the need for there to be an EU track to the negotiations. While there are three European countries around the negotiations, we want to make sure there is a real EU voice. Within that EU voice will be Ireland's voice. Ireland is clear that we want a just and lasting peace in Ukraine, one that is based on international law and respecting the territorial sovereignty of the people of Ukraine. To be blunt, there can be nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine. Equally, there can be nothing about Europe without Europe. Ireland will continue to push at UN level the need to respect international law. There are a number of cases before various international courts that Ireland will be a party to, highlighting concerns in relation to human rights abuses and, as the Minister alluded to, in relation to the forced abduction of children from Ukraine.

Tony McCormack (Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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Ireland's own peace process culminating in the Good Friday Agreement was built on dialogue, patience, international support and the difficult work of building trust between communities. With negotiations now taking place between Russia and Ukraine, does the Department see scope for Ireland to share the lessons we learned from our experience in areas like mediation, inclusive dialogue, confidence building and reconciliation?

Is the Government prepared to offer that expertise through purely civilian and diplomatic channels to international partners supporting this peace process?

Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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Yes, absolutely. When there is a ceasefire and a peace agreement in Ukraine, Ireland is fully prepared to play a real part in that. Just two weeks ago, I was in Colombia, one of 13 Irish Aid countries, and our programme work there is solely in relation to peace. The experience of Ireland has been put into action to uphold the 2016 peace agreement. I visited projects with decommissioned FARC guerillas who were being supported by the Irish Government to turn their backs on violence, engage on peace and lead far better lives. This is the sort of thing that we can offer to the world. Deputies in this Chamber regularly refer to this in the context of the situation in the Middle East, and that is true too. There are lots of Irish NGOs working in places like Ramallah in this regard.

Ukraine offers us a great opportunity but, first and foremost, let there be no equivocation about our support for the people of Ukraine. We want to make sure that real peace comes to Ukraine and that this happens through an absolute ceasefire as soon as possible.