Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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79. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to provide an update on her interactions with the European Union following the United States’ illegal attack on Iran; and if she will make a statement on the matter [22941/26]

Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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There have been some very interesting newspaper headlines today particularly, such as "Czechia ár lá." I think we can all say we trust in Troy, Caoimhín, their teammates and manager, Heimir Hallgrímsson, who I was lucky to meet at Oriel Park at a Dundalk game recently. Ádh mór and good luck to the Irish team.

I ask the Minister to give an update on her interaction with the European Union following the United States illegal attack on Iran alongside genocidal Israel and the chaos that has created.

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. For many people it has been a huge concern over the past number of weeks and has added to the significant instability in the region, not just in Gaza and Palestine and the conflict with Israel and Lebanon, but also the wider region itself. Responding to the crisis caused by this ongoing conflict following the military action by Israel and the United States against Iran, and Iran’s military action in response, is a priority for this Government. We remain in close contact with our EU partners. I attended an emergency video meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council on 28 February and again on 5 March, the latter including foreign Ministers from the Gulf countries themselves. The situation was further discussed at the regular Foreign Affairs Council on 16 March and the European Council on 19 March.

EU member states including Ireland have been very clear that we are deeply concerned by the developing conflict in the region and have highlighted the need for urgent de-escalation. Ireland, with other member states, has expressed extreme concern about breaches of international law, the need for solidarity with Gulf states which are the subject of direct attacks, and the risk of further widening and escalation of the conflict which we are starting to see in other parts of the region. EU member states have also expressed concern at the situation in Lebanon following Israeli military action and the impacts for Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank.

As I mentioned earlier, every discussion we have had focused on Iran. I raised the dire and deteriorating situation in the West Bank, Gaza and Lebanon. At the Foreign Affairs Council, FAC, and the European Council, member states condemned the targeting of civilian infrastructure and the bypassing of international law and the UN charter. It is regrettable, or more than regrettable, that time was not allowed for dialogue and diplomacy. It has been made clear to us that the Friday before this attack happened, progress had been made. It is regrettable that further talks did not continue. The EU must now use all of our channels to encourage de-escalation and a return to diplomatic processes.

Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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We all want to see de-escalation and an end to this illegal attack. We must all be incredibly worried about the wider chaos it is creating. Obviously, the chaos is impacting us in relation to fuel prices, but there are incredibly serious circumstances. Israel has used this from a point of view of continuing its attacks on Gaza and the West Bank, and it looks like it is looking to build a cordon sanitaire beyond the Litani River in Lebanon. I wrote to the Minister and I appreciate the reply, regarding the issue brought to me by family members of those serving with the 27th infantry battalion which is on peacekeeping duties in south Lebanon. I accept the Minister cannot comment on issues of security, but can she ensure that alongside the UN there is a monitoring of the circumstances and absolute support is provided to our peacekeepers, who are out there doing absolutely necessary work, as these families are incredibly worried?

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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In relation to the situation in Lebanon, it is not acceptable what is happening. It is essentially a ground invasion. The Israeli defence forces and army are trying to annex the south part of the region. Unfortunately, that is where many of our troops are, though not all. What I can assure the Deputy is that I am in regular daily contact with the Chief of the Defence Forces who provides me with updates of our troops and how they are. I am pleased to inform the House that all of our troops are safe and accounted for, and these are situations which are kept under continuous monitoring. There are times they have to go into groundhog, which is when they are underground in very confined small spaces for a long period of time. There are other days when that is not happening and they are out patrolling. They are obviously working very closely with their international partners and battalions. I can assure the Deputy, families and those at home who of course are concerned about their loved ones that these operations through the UNIFIL HQ are kept under continual monitoring. The role of the peacekeepers however is to be there on the ground in these types of situations. The desire for peacekeepers to be there on the ground monitoring what is happening has been made very clear to me. Of course, we need to make sure that if situations change or escalate, that is taken into consideration. I have full belief in UNIFIL HQ and the decisions it takes.

Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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It highlights the situational circumstances and danger that peacekeepers have in their particular work and job. I commend them. It is absolutely necessary that we maintain a monitoring eye on what is a constantly escalating situation. We are not entirely sure whether the US President is negotiating with himself, getting presents from Iran or going to unleash hell. All we know is that any further escalation will lead to far more difficult circumstances. It shows the chaos in the American lack of strategy. No matter what we might think of it, the Iranians had a strategy, and it was about impacting oil supply and hurting US assets throughout the region. We need a de-escalation; none of this is good enough. I do not believe the Government or the European Union has been sufficiently strong. I accept we are dealing with a president who does everything without listening to anybody and we can see the abject chaos. It looks like he has bitten off more than he can chew. Not only do we have to protect people as regards home heating oil, petrol and diesel, we need to make sure we play our part in standing up for international law.

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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We have been absolutely clear as a Government that de-escalation is the only way forward. The longer this conflict goes on the more lives are lost, the more innocent civilians are caught up in this, the more impact it has on the region itself and destabilising the region and the wider the impact for all of us. We know the impact we are seeing already, whether at the petrol pumps, in heating our homes or in other areas. That is why we brought in a €250 million package this week in a way that other countries have perhaps not been able to do to respond to the needs of those who are filling their car and heating their homes, and to the needs of those who are most vulnerable. However, the longer this goes on the more challenging that becomes. My priority and that of all of our colleagues in government has been, through whatever avenue possible, be it through European Council meetings or trips in the past week for St Patrick’s Day, to raise the need for de-escalation. That can only happen when all parties come to the table. It is very clear there was not a UN mandate or sanction for this.

All parties, the US, Israel and Iran, need to come to the table to negotiate. That is what we will continue to advocate for.