Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
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837. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will raise the detention of a person (details supplied) with the Ambassador and officials of the Egyptian Embassy in Ireland; if he will convey concerns in relation to the continued detention of the person and the lack of engagement with their family on their location or status; if he will convey the concerns of human rights advocates regarding the treatment of prisoners in Egypt; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18259/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I am aware of the case to which the Deputy refers. The Embassy of Ireland in Cairo, in conjunction with EU colleagues, routinely monitors arrests and detentions of human rights defenders, including in this case.

Human rights issues, in particular those regarding arrests, detention and the treatment of prisoners, form part of Ireland's regular engagement with Egypt. At the Human Rights Council in March 2021, Ireland co-signed a joint statement which expressed deep concern at the use of terrorism legislation to detain human rights defenders and civil society activists in Egypt.

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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838. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if Ireland will support a full investigation by the ICC prosecutor of individuals suspected of war crimes committed in the occupied territories in the context of the decision of the ICC that it has jurisdiction in the Palestinian territories occupied by Israel since 1967 namely Gaza and the West Bank including East Jerusalem; if he will support the role of the ICC in the EU and on the UN Security Council in this regard; if he will oppose attempts to defer an investigation or prosecution under Article 16 of the Rome Statute in view of the continual and increasing illegal transfer of Israeli civilians into the West Bank with the approval of the Israeli Government contrary to international law; if he condemns any attempts to impose sanctions on ICC staff or other personnel involved in or assisting the investigation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18278/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Ireland’s approach to the Israel-Palestinian conflict is based on respect for international law and the agreed international parameters, including relevant UN Security Council Resolutions.

Ireland is a party to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC) and is a firm supporter of the role and work of the ICC. Ensuring accountability is one of the key principles underpinning our engagement on the United Nations Security Council and we will support and defend the Court throughout our two-year term on the Council and beyond.

As a general rule, we believe that the Security Council should use its powers under Article 16 of the Rome Statute sparingly. The interests of justice and accountability for victims must be paramount in any consideration of a decision to defer an ICC investigation or prosecution.

Ireland remains deeply concerned by any threat to undermine the integrity and independence of the Court. We therefore welcome the recent repeal of the United States’ Executive Order and regulations containing measures against the ICC and a number of its senior officials by the US, and the stated intention of the Biden administrations to reset US relations with the Court.

We look forward to working with the US, fellow Rome Statute States Parties and others, including at EU and UN level, on a shared agenda to enhance the Court’s ability to fight impunity and ensure greater State cooperation in pursuit of justice and accountability for victims.

We are aware of the announcement by ICC Prosecutor Bensouda on the initiation of an investigation into the Situation in Palestine. Ireland is committed to preserving the independence and impartiality of the Court’s judicial process and we do not comment on ongoing legal processes.