Written answers
Tuesday, 14 November 2023
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Middle East
Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
56. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to outline the efforts being made by his Department to assist and secure the release of Irish passport holders held hostage in Gaza following the barbaric attack by Hamas on 7 October; and any similar efforts to secure the safe passage of Irish passport holders from Gaza; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49634/23]
Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
57. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his Department, or any Irish embassy or consular staff, have offered assistance to an Irish-born person (details supplied) whose daughter was presumed dead but who is now thought to be alive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49635/23]
Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
67. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade what actions his Department is taking to ensure the safe release of an Irish-Israeli citizen (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49908/23]
Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
I propose to take Questions Nos. 56, 57 and 67 together.
My Department is aware of the case and is providing extensive consular assistance to the citizen's family.
As I am sure you will appreciate, Deputy, it is not possible for us to comment further as it would not be helpful to do so.
Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
59. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his reason for not recognising the state of Palestine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49696/23]
Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
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”.
As I have said previously, the absence of progress towards a two-State solution, I would be prepared to recommend to the Government recognition by Ireland of a State of Palestine, if and when it might be helpful. This is something that is kept under constant review, in line with the progress report on the implementation of the Programme for Government.
The current situation in Gaza, and more broadly in respect of the Israeli/Palestinian conflict is of deep concern. Ireland's focus at present is on making every effort at EU and UN level to call for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, the rapid and unimpeded delivery of humanitarian assistance at scale and the unconditional release of all hostages in Gaza, as well as facilitating the departure of Irish citizens from Gaza and working for the release of Emily Hand, the 8 year old Irish-Israeli citizen who is believed to be a hostage in Gaza.
Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
60. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has had any communication with the Irish citizens seeking to get out of Gaza; to provide an update on their current situation; and what plans he has in place to make sure they can safely return to Ireland. [49697/23]
Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
The Department of Foreign Affairs has remained in very regular phone contact with a number of Irish citizens in Gaza. Let me assure you that we have been providing extensive consular assistance and will continue to do so.
There are many thousands of foreign and dual nationals and immediate dependents in Gaza who are seeking to leave. The departures are being managed country by country on a phased basis. It will take some time for this process to be completed.
The names of all Irish citizens in Gaza who have asked to be included on the list of those due to leave have been submitted to the relevant authorities. We do not know exactly when they will be able to leave.
However, I can assure you that our Embassies in Cairo and Tel Aviv are in constant communication with the authorities in Egypt and Israel to press for our citizens to be allowed to leave as soon as possible.
We continue to directly update Irish citizens in Gaza as we have confirmed information.
Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
61. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade whether, as per his Department's website, he can state in detail what Ireland is doing to support and strengthen the quality of the education system in Palestine, while ensuring more Palestinian children are accessing education. [49699/23]
Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
Education is crucial to the long term development of Palestine, and is a key focus of Ireland’s work in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
Ireland supports the Palestinian Authority’s Ministry of Education in strengthening the quality and accessibility of the education system through a Joint Financing Arrangement. The objective is to improve capacity and provide equitable access to quality education for Palestinian children. The Joint Arrangement is also supported by Finland, Germany and Norway. Ireland is providing €3 million in support in 2023 and engaging actively in education sector dialogue. Ireland has been supporting the Joint Arrangement since 2010.
A mid-term review of the European Joint Strategy in support of Palestine noted that the Joint Arrangement is referenced as a flagship example of effective joint programming and implementation in Palestine.
Ireland also supports the United Nation’s Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), providing €18 million in 2023. A key part of UNWRA’s mission is supporting 706 elementary and primary schools for Palestine refugees. Before the current crisis, over 500,000 Palestinian refugee children were enrolled in UNRWA schools. Our support through UNWRA has been a key pillar of education in the occupied Palestine Territory, especially in Gaza.
In terms of further education, the Ireland-Palestine Scholarship Programme is a dedicated scholarships programme for Palestinian students, supporting 25 students annually from Palestine to undertake a one-year Master’s-level course in Ireland. Since it was established in 2019, 95 students from Palestine have undertaken a Master’s programme in Ireland. There are currently 22 Palestinian students in Ireland on that programme, at an annual cost of €1 million.
In 2022, Ireland also contributed €1 million to the Global Programme for Education’s specific account for the West Bank and Gaza. The Global Partnership for Education is a multi-stakeholder partnership and funding platform that aims to strengthen education systems in developing countries in order to dramatically increase the number of children who are in school and learning.
Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
62. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to provide a list of all projects, and their organisations, promoting gender equality in Palestine that Ireland contributes to. [49700/23]
Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR), a Palestinian human rights organisation, established in 1995 by Palestinian human rights lawyers and defenders as an independent, not-for-profit, non-governmental organisation based in Gaza. Its strategic priorities are supporting promote gender equality, strengthening rule of law, and increasing access to justice for victims of human rights abuses, with a focus on women who are victims of gender-based crimes. Ireland has been funding PCHR since 2010 and provided €100,000 to PCHR in 2023.
MIFTAH (Palestinian Initiative for the Promotion of Global Dialogue and Democracy) works to empower local leadership, and to influence policy and legislation to ensure the safeguarding of civil and social rights for all Palestinians. MIFTAH works on issues such as empowering young community women and, on a policy level, works with the Palestinian Authority (PA) on developing a more gender-responsive government budget. Ireland has been funding MIFTAH since 2010 and provided €100,000 in 2023.
SHAMS (the Human Rights and Democracy Media Centre) works to strengthen the principle and culture of human rights, prevent discrimination, and enhance civilian oversight and social accountability of the Palestinian security institution. SHAMS has implemented many projects addressing women’s rights within the occupied Palestinian Territory and Gaza strip. In 2022, Ireland provided €38,000 in support to a project aiming to fight inequality and gender-based discrimination in mass media and contribute to gender-based equality in media discourse.
In 2022, Ireland funded the Society of Women Graduates in the Gaza Strip with a grant of €24,999 to support their project ‘Women Act’ which aims to strengthen the participation of women in local politics in Gaza.
In 2022, Ireland supported the “Women for Women” initiative of the Ajyal Association for Creativity and Development with a grant of €4,000. This project coaches young women to work with their peers as community leaders, teaching them to articulate and fight for issues affecting their lives.
Ireland has supported the Aisha Association for Women and Children through a grant of €5,828 in 2022 to their ‘Gaza Women’s Yoga and Circus Hub’ project. It aimed to address the severe lack of social and recreational safe spaces accessible for women, girls and people with disabilities in Gaza City.
Finally, the Ireland-Palestine Scholarship Programme brings up to 25 students from Palestine to Ireland each year to undertake a one-year Masters programme. Since the programme began in 2019, 86 female students have been awarded a Fellowship. The annual cost of the full IPSP programme is €1 million.
No comments