Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal East, Labour)
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206. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to provide details of Ireland’s response to the attacks on the global sumud flotilla, which currently has a number of Irish citizens onboard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51913/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I am deeply concerned by recent reports of attacks on the Gaza Sumud Flotilla and reiterate that no unlawful or violent act should be taken against those involved. With this in mind, earlier this month I issued a statement alongside 15 other Foreign Ministers to express my concern about the security of the flotilla. Alongside my counterparts, I called on everyone to refrain from any unlawful or violent act against the Flotilla, and to respect international law and international humanitarian law.

On 24th September, while in New York, I spoke directly with the EU’s High Representative and Vice President Kaja Kallas and to EU counterparts about collectively raising our concerns in Tel Aviv and consider what can be done to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all those on board the flotilla.

I also raised the matter publicly in my intervention at the United Nations during the Global Alliance on the Two-State Solution meeting.

I am keenly aware of the number of Irish citizens who are participating and understand that the peaceful efforts of those on board reflect an understandable desire by many people around the world to urgently address the humanitarian needs of the people of Gaza.

While my Department’s travel advice has consistently been to strongly advise against all travel to the Gaza Strip and to all border areas between the Gaza Strip and Israel, the provision of consular assistance is a cornerstone of the work of my Department.

In this case, my clear priority, and that of my Department, is to ensure the welfare of Irish citizens. Officials at our Embassy in Tel Aviv and the Consular Assistance Unit in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade are closely monitoring the situation and will provide consular assistance to Irish citizens as required.

Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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207. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade whether Ireland's 1980 position endorsing Palestinian statehood, and resolving not to make comment "good bad or indifferent" as to the political beliefs of organisations that are "in a position to negotiate on behalf of the Palestinian people," still applies (details supplied); in particular noting that the relevant beliefs included support for the military destruction of Israel; or whether Ireland's 2024 recognition of Palestinian statehood downgrades the standing of a prospective Palestinian state and introduces a role for the Irish Government, or other non-Palestinian Governments, in determining an appropriate government for the Palestinian people, in light of recent comments from the Taoiseach indicating that an organisation could have no role in the future of a Palestinian state, whatever the views of the Palestinian people themselves; and that this was on grounds that the organisation calls for the military destruction of Israel, and that Ireland has resolved that said organisation offers no future to the Palestinian people. [52054/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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On 28 May 2024, the Government decided to formally recognise the State of Palestine as a sovereign, independent State, within the territory defined by the 1967 borders referenced in UN Security Council resolution 242 (1967).

Our recognition of Palestine was a concrete step, taken along with trusted international partners. Since then we have been working closely with Arab and Gulf partners, as well as partners in Europe and beyond to promote implementation of the two-State solution.

Ireland has consistently argued that the only just and sustainable solution, for both Palestinians and Israelis, is a two-State solution based on 1967 borders, with the State of Israel, and an independent, democratic, contiguous, sovereign, and viable State of Palestine, living side-by-side in peace and security and mutual recognition, with Jerusalem serving as the future capital of both states.

Hamas is a terrorist organisation which offers the people of Gaza no future. Hamas is listed by the European Union as a terrorist organisation, unanimously agreed by all Member States. Ireland has repeatedly condemned Hamas and its terrorist attack on Israel on 7 October 2023, and has consistently called for the unconditional release of all hostages held in Gaza.

The New York Declaration, the outcome document of the International Conference on the Implementation of the Two-State Solution held in New York in July, states clearly that "In the context of ending the war in Gaza, Hamas must end its rule in Gaza and hand over its weapons to the Palestinian Authority, with international engagement and support, in line with the objective of a sovereign and independent Palestinian State." The New York Declaration was endorsed by 142 UN member states in a vote at the UN General Assembly on 12 September, including Ireland which was a Co-Chair of one of the International Conference Working Groups.

Ireland is actively working with the EU and other partners in the region and beyond to create an enabling environment for a revitalised Palestinian Authority. This includes regular discussions on democratic and political renewal. I was pleased to attend the first ever EU-Palestine High Level Dialogue in Luxembourg in April. The Dialogue provided an opportunity for the EU to engage directly with Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa. At the meeting, I welcomed the programme of reform being undertaken by the Palestinian Authority and commended progress made to date in what is an extremely challenging environment.

The importance of intra-Palestinian reconciliation and democratic legitimacy, including elections, was discussed during the meeting between my predecessor, then Tánaiste Micheál Martin, when he met with President Abbas during his visit to the oPt in September 2023.

Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh (Kildare South, Sinn Fein)
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209. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his immediate plans to protect Irish citizens on a non-violent mission to bring aid to Gaza, given recent Israeli attacks on the flotilla; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52114/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I am deeply concerned by reports of attacks on the Gaza Sumud Flotilla and reiterate that no unlawful or violent act should be taken against those involved. With this in mind, earlier this month I issued a statement alongside 15 other Foreign Ministers to express my concern about the security of the flotilla. Alongside my counterparts, I called on everyone to refrain from any unlawful or violent act against the Flotilla, and to respect international law and international humanitarian law.

On 24th September, while in New York, I spoke directly with the EU’s High Representative and Vice President Kaja Kallas and to EU counterparts about collectively raising our concerns in Tel Aviv and consider what can be done to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all those on board the flotilla.

I also raised the matter publicly in my intervention at the United Nations during the Global Alliance on the Two-State Solution meeting.

I am keenly aware of the number of Irish citizens who are currently involved or have participated, including you Deputy. I fully appreciate that the peaceful efforts of those on board reflect an understandable desire by many people around the world to urgently address the humanitarian needs of the people of Gaza.

While my Department’s travel advice has consistently been to strongly advise against all travel to the Gaza Strip and to all border areas between the Gaza Strip and Israel, the provision of consular assistance is a cornerstone of the work of my Department.

In this case, my clear priority, and that of my Department, is to ensure the welfare of Irish citizens. Officials at our Embassy in Tel Aviv and the Consular Assistance Unit in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade are closely monitoring the situation and will provide consular assistance to Irish citizens as required.