Joe O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

The situation in Yemen is one of the world's worst humanitarian crises, driven by seven years of conflict, economic collapse and the breakdown of public institutions and services which has left millions of people in need of humanitarian assistance. Ireland fully supports the efforts of the UN Special Envoy for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, to bring about a political resolution to the conflict in Yemen. Ireland also welcomes the Gulf Cooperation Council initiative to host talks on Yemen and strongly encourages all parties to engage meaningfully with these efforts.

As a member of the Security Council, Ireland has engaged extensively in support of the UN's efforts. The Minister, Deputy Coveney, has held discussions with the UN Special Envoy for Yemen as well as with Major General Michael Beary, head of the United Nations mission to support the Hudaydah agreement. The Minister, Deputy Coveney, has also engaged extensively with the countries of the region, including in direct talks with the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Iran and the UAE. In all of these discussions, the Minister has stressed the need to de-escalate hostilities and work with urgency towards a peaceful resolution of the conflict. He has also highlighted the need to ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid to all people in need.

Developments on the ground in recent months have been deeply concerning. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs has highlighted the record number of civilian casualties recorded in Yemen in recent months. Ireland has consistently called on the parties concerned to take all possible measures to prevent any loss of civilian life and to uphold international humanitarian law in all circumstances.

Ireland deeply regrets the continued failure of the Houthis to engage seriously in the UN-led peace process. Ireland has condemned in the strongest terms attacks targeting civilian infrastructure in Saudi Arabia and UAE, including the attack on Abu Dhabi airport in January of this year, which killed three people, and the series of attacks against Saudi Arabia on 20 March.

In addition to significant diplomatic efforts, Ireland has been a consistent and reliable donor to Yemen and has contributed more than €37 million in humanitarian funding since 2015, including a commitment of €5 million for 2022, which Minister Coveney pledged on behalf of Ireland at the pledging conference for Yemen on 16 March. Ireland also contributes as an EU member state to approaches to the crisis in Yemen. Since 2015, the EU has contributed more than €1.2 billion, including €827 million in humanitarian aid and €407 million in development assistance.

Ireland will continue to support all efforts to end the terrible conflict in Yemen, including through direct engagement with Saudi Arabia and other regional actors and in the context of our position on the UN Security Council and as a European Union member state.