Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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14. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade noting the obligations of contracting parties to the EU/Israel Association agreement arising from its necessitation of 'respect for human rights and democratic principles' as 'an essential element of the relationship', the letter of An Taoiseach of 14 February 2024 to the President of the European Commission outlining concerns in relation to such, and Ireland's obligations under the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, if he has considered exercising Ireland's rights under Article 265 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union arising from the Commission's failure to act in relation to the ongoing genocide against the people of Gaza, opening infringement proceedings against the European Commission at the European Court of Justice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45365/24]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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In February 2024, the then Taoiseach, together with the Prime Minister Sánchez of Spain, wrote to the President of the European Commission requesting an urgent review of whether Israel is complying with its human rights obligations under the EU-Israel Association Agreement. The issue was discussed at the Foreign Affairs Council on 18 March and by the Taoiseach in a meeting with President Von Der Leyen on 11 April.

In subsequent meetings of EU Foreign Ministers, Ireland has repeatedly called for an EU-Israel Association Council to be convened urgently, in order to review Israel’s compliance with its obligations under the Agreement. As the High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell has made clear, the next Association Council meeting cannot be ‘business as usual’.

Israel’s military operations in Gaza are deeply concerning. Ireland, together with likeminded EU member states, will continue to press within the EU for a fundamental review of EU-Israel relations, including the EU-Israel Association Agreement.

At a national level, I have directed my officials to file a declaration of intervention in the case initiated by South Africa against Israel under the Genocide Convention.

Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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15. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he is aware of leaked Israeli emails and meeting notes published by a US-registered NGO (details supplied); if he has examined the files relating to the Government; their response to such; if the information contains therein in any way contradicts Government positions communicated between his Department and the Department of Finance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45366/24]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Government’s position on Ireland’s relations with Israel, as well as the situation in Palestine and the wider region, has been set out frequently in this House by both myself and my predecessors. The Government does not comment on the internal reports or commentaries of third countries or other external partners.

Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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16. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his response to the attacks on UN Special Rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territories; if he has engaged directly with the governments of those individuals making baseless attacks against the Special Rapporteur; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45368/24]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Ireland supports the important role that UN Special Procedures mandate holders play in the international human rights system. Their work contributes to the development of international human rights standards and helps to raise public awareness on human rights issues. Both I and my officials will continue to defend the important role undertaken by all such mandate holders.

Ireland regularly engages with the current holder of the mandate of Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian Territory occupied since 1967, Francesca Albanese, in the context of the UN Human Rights Council and the Third Committee of the UN General Assembly. Ms Albanese presented her most recent Report during an Interactive Dialogue with the UN Third Committee on 30 October. Ireland intervened in the Interactive Dialogue, engaging with the Special Rapporteur and UN Member States, stressing the importance of respect for human rights, and the obligation to ensure the protection of civilians at all times in line with international humanitarian law.

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 support for efforts to achieve a ceasefire and hostage release deal and ensure the supply of humanitarian assistance at scale in Gaza, as well as our efforts to advance the two-state solution.