Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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181. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on recent violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo; whether Ireland will contact Rwanda and demand that they stop supporting rebel activity in the Democratic Republic of Congo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10554/25]

Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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We are following closely the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), which has experienced conflict over many decades, with increasing insecurity and violence in the mineral-rich areas of the east of the country. In July 2024, the Africa-led Luanda process resulted in a ceasefire which significantly reduced the level of armed conflict. However, in January 2025 the M23 militia commenced a major offensive in eastern DRC supported by the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF). This renewed offensive has had a considerable impact on the already harsh humanitarian situation.Ireland and our European Union partners expressed deep concern at developments, including in an EU statement on 25 January that urged the M23 to stop its advance and withdraw immediately. It also restated that Rwanda must cease its support for the M23 and withdraw. The EU joined with the G7 and others in a further statement in February that called for the rapid, safe and unimpeded passage of humanitarian relief for civilians.At the Foreign Affairs Council on 24 February, Ireland expressed strong concern at the M23 offensive, as well as the humanitarian situation in eastern DRC, and underlined the risk of a regionalisation of the conflict.Following this meeting, progress is underway on additional listings for restrictive measures concerning the situation in DRC and the EU’s high-level outreach has continued in the region, including through the EU's Special Representative Johan Borgstam. The EU has conveyed its concerns to the ambassador of Rwanda to the European Union on the ongoing offensive of the RDF and M23 in the eastern DRC. The Department of Foreign Affairs has also engaged with the Ambassador of Rwanda to Ireland, who is based in London, to express Ireland’s strong concerns at the unacceptable actions of Rwanda in eastern DRC, while noting that Rwanda’s security concerns should be addressed through the established mediation processes. Ireland has provided over €17 million since 2023 to civil society partners and for humanitarian assistance in DRC. This is in addition to continued Irish Aid funding to address child malnutrition as part of a global programme, with almost €8 million provided for DRC in 2023-24 and a further €3.9 million earmarked for 2025.