Michael Cahill (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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187. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the additional measures that will be taken to bring an end to the Genocide, slaughter, starvation and degrading of the Palestinian people (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33351/25]

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 continue to 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.

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.

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.

The Government is committed to progressing 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 bringing an update to Government shortly.

A shared priority with both our European and regional partners at this time is the UN High-Level International Conference for the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the two-State Solution. Regrettably, the Conference has been postponed in response to developments in the region. It is important that the rescheduled Conference goes ahead when conditions allow.

When the rescheduled Conference takes place, it 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.