Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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29. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has discussed the escalating tensions between the USA and North Korea; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48401/17]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The situation on the Korean Peninsula is a matter of grave concern to the government. The latest actions taken by North Korea, particularly the nuclear test on 3 September, are a major challenge to international efforts to advance global nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation. This has been a longstanding goal of Ireland’s foreign policy.

Our leadership on this critical global issue was given most recent expression when Ireland co-chaired the 31st Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) Plenary Meeting in Dublin in October. In my speech to the MTCR Plenary, I reiterated my grave concern at the deteriorating situation on the Korean Peninsula, and reaffirmed Ireland’s commitment to its denuclearisation.

The deeply worrying developments in North Korea’s nuclear and missile programmes present a real threat to peace and security on the Korean Peninsula, the entire North East Asia region, and indeed beyond. Such actions represent a flagrant and provocative violation of North Korea’s international obligations not to conduct such tests. I have unreservedly condemned such actions.

The government’s concerns are shared by EU partners. The Foreign Affairs Council adopted Council Conclusions on North Korea on 17 July this year. The Council stressed that lasting peace and the denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula must be achieved through peaceful means. It highlighted the importance of the unity of the international community in addressing this challenge.

On 16 October, the Foreign Affairs Council adopted new EU autonomous restrictive measures against North Korea to further increase pressure on the regime to comply with its obligations. The measures complement and reinforce UN Security Council sanctions. The Foreign Affairs Council also agreed to actively lobby for a robust implementation of all relevant UN Security Council resolutions on the part of all UN member states.

The United Nations General Assembly in New York in September presented an opportunity for the international community to further demonstrate its resolve in this regard, and I conveyed Ireland’s grave concern about ongoing developments. In my address to the United Nations General Assembly, I unreservedly condemned North Korea’s programme of missile and nuclear weapon testing.

Most recently this resolve to implement the sanctions regime was re-affirmed by the European Council on 19 October, and a commitment was made to consider further responses in close consultation with partners.

Throughout, we have been very clear in stating that North Korea must cease the series of provocative acts that have contributed to growing instability in the region and further afield. It must re-engage with discussions on the denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula, immediately and without pre-conditions. It must abandon its programmes to develop ballistic missiles, nuclear capabilities and weapons of mass destruction. It must carry out these processes in a manner that is complete, verifiable and irreversible.

Ireland fully supports the international sanctions regime against North Korea, and emphasises that continued disregard of its international obligations will only lead to increased diplomatic isolation. We believe greater emphasis should be placed on effective implementation of the sanctions regime, but further sanctions cannot be ruled out.

The deteriorating situation on the Korean Peninsula can only be resolved by peaceful means, and we have repeatedly underscored the urgent need for dialogue between all stakeholders. We will continue to be a strong voice for a peaceful outcome, and we will work closely with our international partners to this end.

Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)
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32. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the latest crisis in Lebanon regarding the former Lebanese Prime Minister; if he has expressed his views to the Saudi Arabian embassy here regarding same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48422/17]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The formation of the current Government of Lebanon in December 2016 was a very positive development after a considerable period of political stalemate, and marked an opportunity for a new beginning in addressing the challenges facing that country. Not least of these is the fact that Lebanon is host to well over a million Syrian refugees, a huge number for a small country with a population similar to that of Ireland.

Lebanon’s political system is based on ensuring balanced representation for the country’s different communities, and the Prime Minister’s role in that regard is very important. I am very concerned about allegations of threats to the life of the PM Hariri, and also by the fact that any gap in the Prime Minister role risks opening the door to renewed instability. I regret that Prime Minister Hariri has felt it necessary to submit his resignation.

Ireland has a long-standing commitment to the unity and stability of Lebanon, as evidenced by the long tradition of Irish participation in the UNIFIL peace-keeping mission. Despite the ongoing turmoil in the Middle East, southern Lebanon has remained an area of relative calm since 2006, and the achievements of the UNIFIL operation and the role of our own Defence Forces in this success should not be overlooked.

When officials from my Department met with officials from the Saudi Arabian Embassy in Dublin last week, they took the opportunity to stress the need for regional stability, and the need to de-escalate tensions, instancing Ireland’s contribution to UNIFIL and UNDOF as a practical demonstration of our commitment in that regard.

I am continuing to monitor the situation in Lebanon very closely.