Gino Kenny (Dublin Mid West, People Before Profit Alliance)
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32. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the reason the Irish delegation did not join the many delegations that walked out during Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech at the UN General Assembly on 27 September 2024 in protest at Israel’s genocide in Gaza; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40651/24]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Ireland’s membership of the United Nations is at the heart of our foreign policy. We take seriously our obligation to translate the values and principles of the UN Charter into action.

Ireland has a long-standing policy of engagement throughout the entirety of the Opening of the General Assembly at the United Nations. In practice this means our seat is occupied for each day of the High Level General Debate, and for every country's National Statement. This demonstrates our commitment to diplomatic engagement and the importance of the UN as an institution.

The urgent need to address the conflict in the Middle East remains a priority for Ireland in our work at the UN. This includes ongoing efforts to advance the two-State solution, achieve a ceasefire and hostage release deal, and ensure the supply of humanitarian assistance at scale in Gaza. We are also advocating for an immediate cessation of hostilities in Lebanon and a de-escalation of tensions across the entire region.