Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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3. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade further to Parliamentary Question No. 187 of 10 June 2025, his views on whether the principle lesson of the Good Friday Agreement applies equally to Palestine as to Ireland, namely, that militant and paramilitary groups can come to form part of a civilian administration provided they mostly, or partially, decommission their arms, or come to some other settlement that ends a phase of violence; and, if so, to clarify his remarks that an organisation (details supplied) has ‘no place’ in a future Palestinian state on grounds that the Irish Government disapproves of its present militant activity. [52199/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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In my previous answer, I spoke about the sharing of lessons from the Northern Ireland peace process as forming part of our international engagement, including with Israel and Palestine, on bringing about a sustainable peace based on 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 attacks 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.

Ireland engaged actively on the issue of the conflict at the UN High Level Week in New York last week. In my remarks at the Global Alliance for the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution, I underlined Ireland’s support to the Palestinian Authority and our intention to sign a Memorandum of Cooperation with Palestine.

Thomas Gould (Cork North-Central, Sinn Fein)
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4. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to send observer boats to the Global Sumud Flotilla given the presence of 22 Irish citizens. [52272/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I remain 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.

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.

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, my clear priority, and that of my Department, is to ensure the welfare of Irish citizens.

We will continue to raise our concerns in that regard through diplomatic channels. While in New York last week, I spoke directly with the EU’s High Representative and Vice President Kaja Kallas and to EU counterparts about expressing our concerns in Tel Aviv and to 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.

This week, I once again contacted the EU’s High Representative and Vice President Kaja Kallas to urge the EU to collectively raise our concerns for the safety and wellbeing of all those on board.

I remain in contact with EU and international partners, including my Spanish counterpart, regarding assistance for Irish citizens affected, should that become necessary.

My officials remain in direct contact with a designated Government point of contact for the Global Movement To Gaza delegation of the GSF and will continue to closely monitor the situation.

Please be assured, Deputy, that my Department will provide all possible consular assistance to Irish citizens as required.