Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
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2. To ask the Taoiseach to report on his meeting with Prime Minister Najib Mikati of Lebanon. [45242/24]

Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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4. To ask the Taoiseach to report on his meeting with Prime Minister Najib Mikati of Lebanon. [45239/24]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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A Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions 2 and 4 together.

On 25 October I received Prime Minister of Lebanon, Najib Mikati, for a bilateral meeting at Government Buildings.

Prime Minister Mikati briefed me on the deeply concerning escalation of violence in Lebanon and the challenges faced by his government in managing the humanitarian consequences, including the needs of the very large number of displaced people.

I offered my sympathies to Prime Minister Mikati and the people of Lebanon on the loss of civilian lives and on the appalling level of destruction.

We agreed on the urgent need for an immediate ceasefire that can allow people return to their homes. I underlined that it must be based on the full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701 and the attacks by all sides must end.

I reassured Prime Minister Mikati that the people of Lebanon can rely on the support and solidarity of Ireland. At conference on assistance for Lebanon held in Paris on 24 October, Ireland pledged an additional €5 million in support bringing the total of Ireland’s support to €10 million in 2024. Ireland will continue to support those most in need across the region.

Prime Minster Mikati expressed his strong gratitude to Ireland for its commitment to Lebanon over the decades, and for its solidarity at this most difficult time. He paid special tribute to the role of UNIFIL, and the Irish Defence Forces personnel serving with it.

I stressed the importance of ensuring the safety of UNIFIL peacekeepers in Lebanon and protecting their ability to fulfil their mandate. The targeting of peacekeepers is a violation of international humanitarian law and cannot be accepted. Israel and Hezbollah have an obligation to ensure the safety and security of peacekeepers.

I also raised the case of the death of Private Sean Rooney. I expressed my hope that the legal proceedings advance as quickly as possible. Private Rooney’s family deserve, at the very least, truth and justice.