Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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While Ireland and the United States have differing perspectives on aspects of the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip, both governments are committed to working towards an end to the violence as soon as possible, the unconditional release of all hostages, and full, safe and unhindered humanitarian access. The Government engages with the US on an ongoing basis as a close partner. The involvement of the United States is essential to finding a solution to the current conflict and restoring a political pathway to a two-State solution.

Earlier this year, I visited Washington DC and Chicago for a range of high-level political meetings. I met with Congressional leaders, including members of the bipartisan Congressional Friends of Ireland Caucus, and with Senators Chuck Schumer, Chris Murphy, Jon Ossoff and Lindsey Graham, and Democratic Minority Whip Katherine Clark. I also met with senior figures in the Biden Administration, the Deputy National Security Advisor, Jon Finer, and USAID Administrator, Samantha Power. In all of these meetings, I gave Ireland’s clear position on the war on Gaza, including in relation to the importance of support for the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA). I also took part in a public event with the Atlantic Council in Washington, where I made clear Ireland’s position on the unacceptable humanitarian situation in Gaza, called for an immediate ceasefire, the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages, and a massive scaling up of humanitarian aid.

When the then Taoiseach travelled to Washington for St Patrick’s Day this year, he highlighted to President Biden those same priorities. Recently, the Taoiseach also met with former Speaker of the US House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, who has herself called for a halt of weapons transfers to Israel, in a recent letter to President Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

My officials meet regularly with representatives from the US Embassy in Ireland and the Government will continue to engage intensively with the US on this crisis in bilateral and multilateral settings at official and political levels.