Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats)
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22. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to provide details on the interactions between the State and the Polisario Front of Western Sahara, and if his Department intends on recognising Western Sahara as a sovereign state. [11133/24]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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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, 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 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.

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.