Liam Quaide (Cork East, Social Democrats)
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164. To ask the Taoiseach if he will report on his meeting with representatives of the US-Jewish community during his visit to the United States of America for St. Patrick's Day and the reports from the American Jewish Committee that he indicated that the occupied territories Bill was no longer on the legislative agenda. [13395/25]

Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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During my visit to Washington D.C. for St. Patrick’s Day, I met with representatives from the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) and the American Jewish Committee (AJC). It was a useful opportunity to listen to the concerns of these groups and to discuss how better to combat antisemitism which is sadly on the rise globally.

I updated the representatives on the most recent actions taken by the Government including endorsing the IHRA working definition of antisemitism and the Global Guidelines on countering antisemitism, and our commitment to implementing these guidelines.

I briefed the participants on Ireland’s National Plan Against Racism, which includes antisemitism, and noted Ireland’s commitment to implementing the National Plan, particularly in education. I also noted the representatives’ support for the appointment of an Irish Special Envoy on combating antisemitism.

There was also a general discussion on the situation in the Middle East. I underlined Ireland’s consistent condemnation of Hamas and its horrific attack on 7 October 2023.

I recalled my visit, as Tánaiste, to Kibbutz Be’eri, where I witnessed firsthand the horrors of the Hamas attack and expressed my solidarity with the people of Israel. I highlighted the consistency of Ireland’s position in calling for a ceasefire, the unconditional release of all hostages and the need for unhindered humanitarian assistance to people of Gaza.

I also set out the rationale for Ireland’s intervention in the ICJ case taken by South Africa under the Genocide Convention which is consistent with Ireland’s commitment to upholding international law and international humanitarian law.

The Occupied Territories Bill was also raised during our discussions. I noted that while the Bill is not on the Spring legislative agenda, our commitment to this as outlined in the Programme for Government remains unchanged.

I undertook to stay in contact with the AJC and the ADL, and to work with them in listening to the concerns of the Jewish community, both in the US and in Ireland, and on combatting antisemitism, both at home and globally.