Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South-Central, Sinn Fein)
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68. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his position with regard to western Sahara. [38035/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Ireland’s long-standing position on Western Sahara is one of full support for the UN-led process, including the MINURSO Mission, and the efforts of Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary-General for Western Sahara, Staffan de Mistura, to achieve a political solution to this long-standing dispute. It is our hope that these efforts will help achieve a just, lasting and mutually acceptable political solution which will provide for the self-determination of the people of Western Sahara.

UN Security Council Resolution 2756, adopted on 31 October 2024, extended the mandate of the MINURSO Mission by one year, until 31 October 2025. As per this and previous Resolutions, I have called on all parties to the dispute, and on the wider international community, to support and assist the efforts of the Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary-General for Western Sahara as he continues his engagements with the parties to the dispute. I welcome the visits and consultations he has undertaken to the region, including his visit in April 2025.

I also support the call in the UNSC Resolution on all parties to cooperate fully with MINURSO in carrying out its important mandate.

My officials, at HQ and in our Mission network, are in ongoing contact with all relevant and interested parties in support of efforts to achieve a solution to this long-standing dispute.