Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal East, Labour)
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58. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position regarding Ireland’s participation in the Hague Group; the details discussed at the meetings of the group over 15 and 16 July in Colombia; to provide details of Ireland’s contribution to the discussion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46258/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Both I and my officials interact with a wide variety of international partners on the Middle East which remains a major priority for this Government.

Ireland’s engagement is guided by our longstanding and principled position, notably respect for international law, respect for the equal right to self-determination, peace, security and dignity for Israelis and Palestinians alike, and unwavering support for the two-State solution.

While Ireland is not a member of the group referred to by the Deputy, this Government is committed to working with partners around the world in service of these objectives. Ireland attended the meeting in Bogotá on 15-16 July in an observer capacity at official level.

At the EU level, the situation in Israel and Palestine remains a standing agenda item on the Foreign Affairs Council each month. It was discussed most recently at the informal meeting of EU Foreign Ministers in Copenhagen on 29-30 August.

Ireland has been centrally involved in work of the Global Alliance for the Implementation of the Two-State Solution which was founded at UN High Level Week last year and has met several times since then.

Across all its bilateral and multilateral engagement, Ireland has consistently underlined the need for all parties to comply with international law, including international humanitarian law.

Ireland is a steadfast supporter of the International Criminal Court, as well as the principles and values enshrined in the Rome Statute.

My overarching priority is to contribute to a coordinated and consolidated effort by the international community as a whole to support a return to a ceasefire and hostage release agreement and the surge of humanitarian access into Gaza this would make possible; to safeguard the two-State solution; to work towards the return of the Palestinian Authority to Gaza in accordance with UN Security Council 2735 and to uphold the equal right to self-determination, peace, security and dignity for Israelis and Palestinians alike.