Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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73. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his response to the Israeli bombing of Saana airport; if he has discussed such with the WHO Director General, who was present during the attack; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4889/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Since the terror attack by Hamas on Israel on 7 October 2023, the Houthis have launched a campaign of drone and missile attacks against Israel, which were utterly. This campaign has included attacks on international shipping, which have impacted on humanitarian relief efforts in the Horn of Africa and have contributed to disruptions in world trade. As well as attacking civilian vessels, they have hijacked one and held crew members hostage for more than a year.

The Israeli air strikes, including that on the airport in Sanaa on 26 December, were stated to be a response to Houthi aggression. I have not spoken directly to the Director General of the World Health Organisation, but I have read his account of the event. It is deeply concerning that he and other UN personnel was caught up in this regrettable violence.

The long civil war in Yemen, prolonged by the Houthis, has brought misery and suffering to the people of that country. I take this opportunity to again urge an end to the conflict and for all parties in Yemen, and those outside Yemen who support them, to redouble their efforts to resume peace efforts.

Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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74. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will outline his obligations arising from rulings of the International Court of Justice regarding the trade of goods and services with illegal Israeli settlements; if he intends to meet such obligations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4890/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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On 19 July 2024 the International Court of Justice delivered an Advisory Opinion on the Legal Consequences arising from the Policies and Practices of Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem. While ICJ Advisory Opinions are not binding in and of themselves, they represent authoritative statements of applicable international law, including customary law obligations which are binding on all states and international organisations.

In its Advisory Opinion, the Court concluded that Israel’s continued presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory is unlawful, and that Israel is under an obligation to bring its unlawful presence there to an end as rapidly as possible.

The Advisory Opinion sets out the consequences arising not only for Israel, but for all states, as well as for international organisations, including the United Nations.

The Court concluded that States are under an obligation not to recognise as legal the situation arising from the unlawful presence of Israel in the OPT, and not to render aid or assistance in maintaining the situation created by the continued presence of Israel in the OPT.

In particular, the Court considered that States are under an obligation to distinguish in their dealings with Israel between the territory of Israel and the OPT. The duty of distinguishing in dealings with Israel encompasses the obligation to abstain from entering into economic or trade dealings with Israel concerning the OPT which may entrench its unlawful presence in that territory.

Ireland made both written and oral statements to the Court during the course of these advisory proceedings. In its statements, the Government argued that all States, as well as international organisations competent in the field of external trade (which for Ireland is the European Union), are required to review their trading relationships with the settlements in the OPT and to take steps to prevent trade that assists in the maintenance of the situation created by settlement activity.

This was also the view reached by the Court in its Advisory Opinion.

The Court found that the precise modalities to bring to an end Israel’s unlawful presence in the OPT are a matter to be dealt with by the UN General Assembly, which requested the Court's Opinion, as well as the Security Council, taking into account the Court’s Opinion.

Ireland subsequently co-sponsored a resolution adopted by the General Assembly on 18 September 2024 which seeks to implement the Court’s Advisory Opinion. The resolution elaborates on the obligations arising for Israel, all States and international organisations from Israel’s unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including in the field of trade.

For EU member states international trade falls within the Union's exclusive competence. As such, Ireland acts through the EU in relation to the regulation of international trade in goods and services with third countries. Trade relations between the EU and its member states and Israel are governed by the EU-Israel Association Agreement and by relevant EU law.

The EU’s international relations are founded on respect for the principles of the UN Charter and international law.

In light of these considerations, the last Government decided to review the Occupied Territories Bill sponsored by Senator Frances Black, concluding that substantive amendments would be required to most, if not all, of the Bill’s provisions in order to bring it in line with the Constitution and to try to reduce the risk of EU infringement procedures. The Programme for Government sets out a commitment to progress legislation prohibiting goods from the Occupied Palestinian Territory and these issues will remain central to work in this regard.

In parallel, the Government continues to press for action at the EU level in light of the Advisory Opinion and discussions on the EU’s legal position remain ongoing.

Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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75. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the United Nations resolutions Ireland has recently co-sponsored alongside the State of Palestine at the United Nations; the purpose of the resolutions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4891/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Ireland's co-operation with the State of Palestine at the UN - which we recognised as a sovereign and independent state in May of 2024, but which holds observer status at the United Nations - is both broad and substantial. This includes the co-sponsorship of multiple resolutions at the 79th General Assembly, on matters ranging from the UN budget and pension system, through to General and Nuclear Disarmament, and the implications of Artificial Intelligence on Peace and Security.

Most recently, on 11 December 2024, at the 10th Emergency Special Session on Illegal Israeli Actions in Occupied East Jerusalem and the rest of the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Ireland co-sponsored two resolutions with the State of Palestine: A/ES-10/L.33 - Demand for a ceasefire in Gaza; and A/ES-10/L.32 -Support for the Mandate of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East.

We also co-operate with Palestine through our membership of the Group of Friends of UNRWA at the UN, which met most recently on the 16th of January to discuss the ceasefire agreement, Knesset Legislation and aid delivery, among other matters.

Ireland’s foreign policy is guided by our values, including support for democracy and the peaceful resolution of international disputes. In line with these values, we will continue to work with the State of Palestine at the United Nations, and continue to advocate in New York for full membership of the UN for Palestine.