Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The International Criminal Court (ICC) was established as the first permanent international court to end impunity for the perpetrators of international crimes. By its very existence the Court not only promotes and upholds the rule of law but also provides a means of bringing to account the perpetrators of the most serious crimes of concern to the international community. In this way it contributes in a fundamental way to the cause of international peace and justice.

I am extremely concerned by the criminal proceedings issued against a number of judges at the ICC and the ICC Prosecutor by Russian authorities in retaliation for arrest warrants issued by the Court against Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Children’s Rights Commissioner Maria Lvova-Belova. I also condemn the recent serious cybersecurity attack against the Court.

These acts are attacks against the independence and impartiality of the Court, and are an affront to the rule of law. The Government reiterates its unwavering support for the ICC in the face of these threats and calls for the criminal proceedings against all Court officials to be withdrawn by Russia. We will continue to publicly support and promote the Court in all relevant international fora, including at the recent United Nations General Assembly debate on the ICC in October.

In addition to political support for the Court, Ireland strongly believes that the ICC should have sufficient resources to meet its many operational challenges. We have consistently promoted a budget that meets its needs and will continue to do so at the Assembly of States Parties to the ICC Statute in December. Furthermore, in 2022 Ireland made a voluntary contribution of €3 million to the ICC, to assist its work across all investigations, prosecutions and victim assistance programmes.