Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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134. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on the work of Ireland’s delegation at the United Nations as the halfway point of the two-year membership of the Security Council is reached. [33809/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Ireland is almost six months into our two-year term as a member of the UN Security Council. The work of Ireland’s Permanent Mission in New York is at the core of our engagement across the Council agenda.

As co-penholder for Syria Humanitarian issues, Ireland is working closely with Norway to secure the renewal of the mandate for cross-border delivery of humanitarian assistance to those in need.

We are working to uphold the Iran Nuclear Deal (JCPOA), as Facilitator for Security Council Resolution 2231. The talks in Vienna are a very welcome development, and we hope that agreement can be reached on the full restoration of the agreement.

Ireland is actively working as co-chair of the Informal Expert Group on Climate and Security. As co-chair of the Informal Expert Group on Women, Peace and Security, we have been promoting inclusive peace and the participation of women.

We are active on African issues, as chair of the Somalia Sanctions Committee and co-penholder on the UN Office for West Africa and the Sahel. We are also informal focal point on Hunger and Conflict.

Improving Peacekeeping mandates is a priority, and the protection of civilians during peacekeeping transitions has been a specific focus.

We initiated discussions in February and March and led negotiations on a Press Statement on the situation in Tigray, Ethiopia. Last week, Ireland organised a further Council meeting on the dire humanitarian situation in Tigray.

The Middle East Peace Process remains a key priority. I welcomed the ceasefire that came into force on 21 May, and must continue to be supported. Ireland was extremely active in calling - successfully- for the Security Council to meet on the issue. I regret that it took so long for the Council to speak on this issue.

We have supported calls for an end to hostilities in Yemen, to help address the humanitarian crisis. Ireland continues to highlight human rights concerns in Myanmar since the coup. We are supporting efforts to bring about a lasting settlement in Libya and supporting implementation of the peace process in Colombia.

In February, Ireland co-sponsored a resolution on ensuring equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines in conflict-affected contexts.

Across our work, we are prioritising the protection of human rights, upholding International Humanitarian Law, and promoting accountability for violations.

Ireland takes a realistic but ambitious approach. We are working to play a constructive role, to find solutions and overcome divisions.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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137. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which he through the EU and UN continues to press for a serious investigation into the numerous human rights violations now taking place throughout the globe; if Ireland’s position on the UN Security Council can be used to press these issues at an early date; if the international criminal courts in the Hague can be utilised in this context; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33840/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I wish to acknowledge the Deputy's question and refer to my earlier reply to his Parliamentary Question of 21 April 2021 (PQ reference 20851/21) which outlines the overall and unchanged position in this regard.