Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South-Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

148. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the engagement his Department has had with the Hague Group; and the efforts which have been made to join the Hague Group in order to support that governmental bloc to maximise international diplomatic and legal action against Israel's human rights crimes and international law violations. [57178/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

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 recent Ministerial Meeting of the Hague Group that took place in New York on 26 September in an observer capacity at official level. Ireland also attended an Emergency Conference on Palestine convened by the Hague Group in Bogotá on 15-16 July, also in an observer capacity at official level.

Ireland is using its voice at the UN, at the EU and at other international bodies to pursue a sustainable, long-lasting peace for Israel and Palestine. Ireland welcomes the agreement on the first phase of a peace deal to end the war in Gaza. It is important now to continue to ensure that the first phase of the plan is implemented, while continuing work on the next phases.

Ireland stands ready to play our part in working towards a sustainable peace between Israel and Palestine through the implementation of the two-State solution, where two democratic States, Israel and Palestine, live side-by-side in peace within secure and recognised borders, consistent with international law and relevant UN resolutions.