Patrick Costello (Dublin South Central, Green Party)
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57. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade what actions Irish diplomatic representatives in Morocco have taken to support the United Nations process and support efforts to bring about a definitive and mutually acceptable political settlement with regard to Western Sahara; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8882/24]

Patrick Costello (Dublin South Central, Green Party)
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59. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will upgrade the diplomatic status of Western Sahara and, if he will establish an Irish diplomatic presence in the region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8927/24]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 54, 57 and 59 together.

On 14 February, officials from my Department met with visiting representatives of the Polisario Front to discuss the ongoing political situation in Western Sahara. This meeting was an opportunity to discuss a variety of issues including the return to armed conflict in the region, engagement with the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO), the peace process, and human rights issues, including within Sahrawi refugee camps. The delegation raised the ongoing case at the European Court of Justice on the EU-Morocco Fisheries agreement.

Ireland’s longstanding position on Western Sahara is one of full support for MINURSO, the UN-led process and the Secretary General’s efforts to bring about a definitive and mutually acceptable political settlement on this issue. Including through our Embassy in Rabat, Ireland pursues constructive engagement and supports initiatives by the UN, such as the visit of UN Special Advisor Staffan de Mistura to the region in September 2023. The Embassy is also accredited to Tunisia and Mauritania, which allows engagement with both countries in relation to the issue. Mauritania is one of the four parties named in the relevant UN Security Council Resolutions on Western Sahara, including most recently Resolution 2703 adopted on 30 October 2023.

As I have previously stated, Ireland recognises Western Sahara as a non-self-governing territory under international law. Our long-standing policy is to support the UN Security Council Resolutions on self-determination for the people of Western Sahara. We do not have a view on the outcome of that decision so long as it is decided peacefully and in a genuine exercise of self-determination.