Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)
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27. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has raised concerns over the ongoing bombing campaign in Yemen with his counterpart in Saudi Arabia; his views on whether Ireland's growing trade relations with Saudi Arabia could be interpreted as tacit support of the Saudi led war, in view of Ireland's stated policy of neutrality; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39698/17]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I have been monitoring the situation Yemen with great concern, in particular in recent months as the humanitarian situation has reached crisis point. The war has entered into its third year, efforts to broker peace have not made any significant progress and fighting continues with increasingly devastating consequences for the civilian population. In addition, the country is on the brink of famine and suffering a major cholera outbreak. My predecessor, Minister Flanagan, raised concerns about the appalling humanitarian situation in Yemen, and about attacks which have directly impacted on civilians, with the Saudi Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Dr Nizar bin Obaid Madani, when he visited the Gulf in November 2016. Following this, he also raised these concerns with the UAE Minister for Foreign Affairs, Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, both in the UAE and more recently here in Dublin. I can assure the House that I will continue to take every appropriate opportunity to raise these concerns in the future. Ireland has close economic ties with Saudi Arabia, and this relationship has considerable benefits for the Irish economy. Bilateral trade was worth almost €2 billion in 2015. However, this partnership does not prevent us from raising our concerns in the appropriate channels. In addition to concerns about the humanitarian situation in Yemen, Ireland regularly raises broader human rights concerns with Saudi interlocutors.

Ireland’s long standing policy of military neutrality, which has been pursued by successive Governments and enjoys widespread public support, is characterised by non-participation in military alliances. This policy is underpinned by a set of complementary values which include: the protection of human rights, support for development, and the promotion of disarmament – values which Ireland champions and promotes in its interactions with its international partners irrespective of any trading relationships.

Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to reiterate Ireland’s support for the efforts of UN Special Envoy Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed and his team, who continue to work towards a peace agreement that is acceptable to all parties to the conflict in Yemen. Ireland will also continue to call for all alleged violations of human rights and international humanitarian law to be investigated, and for those found guilty of violations to be held accountable.