Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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690. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the recent efforts made to ensure that Israel meets obligations under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, with particular reference to Palestinian children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41246/16]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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The Convention on the Rights of the Child requires regular reporting by States parties on how the rights contained in the Convention are being implemented. The Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC) engages in dialogue with states on the basis of these reports, raising concerns and making recommendations for improved implementation. Ultimately, implementation is a matter for the State Party. My Department and I myself have frequently raised issues of concern in relation to treatment of Palestinians living under Israeli occupation, including children, directly with the Israeli authorities or in discussions at EU level and in international fora, such as the Human Rights Council. We have discussed many of these issues in response to specific Questions here in the House. Ireland has had a particular focus on issues related to children detained by the security forces, for instance on the legal age of majority under the law, and some improvements have been made. However, much remains to be done and there are still many issues of concern. Similar concerns about the protection of children exist in relation to many other states besides Israel, both elsewhere in the Middle East and beyond.