Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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176. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the steps Ireland is taking to fulfil its obligations under the Genocide Convention to take action to prevent acts of genocide in Palestine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15514/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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All States have a legal obligation to prevent genocide. The International Court of Justice has clarified that this is an obligation of conduct, not result, and that a State’s obligation in any given case will depend on its capacity to influence effectively those whose actions may lead to the commission of genocide. The Court recognised that this capacity to influence itself depends on several factors, including the geographical distance of the State concerned from the scene of the events, and the strength of the political links between the authorities of that State and the main actors in those events.

The Government is extremely concerned at the appalling scenes we continue to witness from Gaza. Ireland has continuously sought to influence events in Gaza by repeatedly calling for an end to hostilities there. We have condemned the resumed Israeli airstrikes and ground operations, which have brought fresh suffering to the people there. We have again called for the unimpeded delivery of humanitarian relief at scale.

The Government has also filed Declarations of Intervention at the International Court of Justice in both The Gambia’s case against Myanmar and South Africa’s case against Israel under the Genocide Convention. In these Declarations, Ireland has argued for an interpretation of that Convention that requires the highest standards of behaviour from those involved in armed conflict or otherwise engaged in the use of force, specifically to prevent the commission of genocide.

Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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177. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on his engagements with the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territories; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15463/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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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. My officials and I 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 2024. 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.

Senior officials in my Department met with Ms Albanese on 21 March 2025 on the occasion of her most recent visit to Ireland, which provided an important opportunity to engage on issues related to her mandate. During the meeting, my officials acknowledged the extremely difficult operating environment in which Ms Albanese is carrying out her mandate and conveyed Ireland’s appreciation for her role.