Michael Cahill (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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187. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to respond to correspondence (details supplied) on an urgent matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31537/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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This conflict remains a central focus of Ireland’s foreign policy and my engagement with my EU and international counterparts.

I have repeatedly called on Israel to fully lift its blockade and allow for unimpeded access of humanitarian aid at scale into Gaza. We have also been clear in our call for an immediate cessation of hostilities and for the release of remaining hostages.

I call on Israel to allow a full resumption of aid in accordance with international law and humanitarian principles and to enable UN and humanitarian organisations to work independently.

The situation in the West Bank, where Israel is conducting its single largest operation in 20 years, is extremely concerning. It demands our urgent attention and appropriate action. At least 40,000 people have been displaced since January.

Ireland has strongly supported sanctions adopted by the EU against individuals and entities involved in settler violence and we continue to call for the imposition of further EU sanctions. At the meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council on 20 May, Ireland called for the immediate adoption of further sanctions targeting violent settlers.

Turning to the question of legislation, the Government is committed to progress legislation to prohibit trade in goods with illegal Israeli settlements. On 27 May, the Government agreed to advance work on a General Scheme for this legislation. This work is being progressed, with a view to bring an update to Government in the coming weeks.

In response to concerns regarding the situation in Gaza, on 20 May the EU Foreign Affairs Council agreed to a review of Article 2 of the EU-Israel Association Agreement. As the Deputy is aware, Ireland and Spain called for this step in February 2024. This is a position that I reiterated in a letter to the High Representative in advance of the Foreign Affairs Council, alongside my counterparts from Spain, Slovenia and Luxembourg.

A shared priority with both our European and regional partners at this time is the forthcoming UN High-Level International Conference for the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the two-State Solution. This will take place in New York in June of this year and will be co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia.

This Conference will provide an important opportunity to advance discussions on concrete initiatives towards implementing the two-State solution such as implementation of the Arab Recovery and Reconstruction Plan for Gaza. Ireland will co-chair a Working Group, alongside Türkiye, focused on preserving the two-State solution. I hope this conference will be an important moment for the international community to reaffirm its commitment to implementing the two State solution.