Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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311. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the way in which Ireland’s seat at the UN Security Council can advance the formation of a Palestinian state in line with the votes of Dáil and Seanad Éireann. [5006/21]

Patricia Ryan (Kildare South, Sinn Fein)
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328. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when the commitment of Ireland to recognise the state of Palestine will be honoured; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5451/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 311 and 328 together.

The Programme for Government states that the Government will “Honour our commitment to recognise the State of Palestine as part of a lasting settlement of the conflict, or in advance of that, when we believe doing so will progress efforts to reach a two-State solution or protect the integrity of Palestinian territory”.

I have been clear that, in recognition of the lack of progress towards a two-State solution, I would be prepared to recommend to the Government early recognition by Ireland of a State of Palestine, if and when it might be helpful. This is an issue where there could be benefits to moving in step with EU partners, and it is a matter that I discuss regularly with EU colleagues.

Recognition by Ireland outside the context of an overall peace agreement could, however, affect Ireland’s influence on the Israel-Palestine conflict at EU and international level. Timing and context would affect whether such a loss of influence would be matched by a commensurate benefit for the Palestinian people and a positive impact on the peace process.

Ireland is committed to supporting a viable two-State solution, in line with the agreed parameters for a resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The matter is discussed regularly at the Security Council.

This month, UN Secretary General Guterres appointed a new UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Mr Tor Wennesland. On 26 January Mr Wennesland provided a briefing to the UN Security Council at the 'Quarterly Open Debate on the Middle East, including the Palestinian question'.

At this debate, I outlined Ireland’s position on the Middle East Peace Process and called for a renewed role for the Middle East Quartet to re-energise the peace process. I emphasised that Ireland remains ready to support any peace initiative that respects the international parameters for a two-State solution and the relevant UN Security Council Resolutions, and which provide a basis to meet the aspirations of both peoples.

Ireland will continue to work with international partners on this issue including while we are on the UN Security Council, in particular focusing on the need for the adherence of all parties to the Resolutions which have been adopted by the Council, and our opposition to actions which undermine a viable two State solution.

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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312. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the way in which Ireland’s seat at the UN Security Council can assist with the humanitarian crisis in the Tigray region of Ethiopia and towards a peaceful resolution of the conflict there. [5007/21]

Colm Brophy (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Ireland remains deeply concerned by the ongoing armed conflict between the Federal Government of Ethiopia and the former regional authorities in Tigray, which began on 4 November. The conflict has had a devastating impact on the population of Tigray, and poses severe risks to the stability of the wider Horn of Africa region.

Ireland is engaging directly as well as actively supporting the efforts of the EU, UN and wider international community to address the crisis, including through engagement with the African Union. We are strongly supportive of regional efforts to try to find a resolution to the conflict. However progress has been limited to date.

In contacts with key interlocutors, Minister Coveney has called on all parties to cease hostilities, respect international humanitarian law and begin dialogue, as well as for immediate and unhindered humanitarian access to affected areas. He has condemned reported atrocities and identity-based attacks, and has called for the human rights of all Ethiopians to be upheld. The Minister continues to engage with regional actors in this regard, including in Addis Ababa, Nairobi and Pretoria, and through our membership of the European Union.

My Department has provided over €2.6 million to date to support the humanitarian response to the Tigray crisis. This includes €1.4 million to Irish NGOs within Tigray, €500,000 to the UN refugee agency to support the refugee response in neighbouring Sudan, and almost €750,000 towards humanitarian stocks, and supports for the protection of women and girls. 

The crisis in Ethiopia was discussed at the UN Security Council on 24 November and 14 December last year. Due to the gravity of the situation, Ireland is raising the situation in Ethiopia at the Security Council this week. Ireland will continue to advocate for an urgent response to the humanitarian situation, and for a peaceful resolution to the conflict.