Martin Daly (Roscommon-Galway, Fianna Fail)
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156. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when the next EU Foreign Affairs council will take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56955/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The next meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council (FAC) is due to take place on Thursday, 20 November.

Yesterday, I attended the October meeting of the FAC in Luxembourg. The wide-ranging agenda included an exchange of views on Russian aggression against Ukraine, where we were briefed by Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha on the latest developments on this issue, and on Ukraine’s most urgent needs. Foreign Ministers had an opportunity to discuss these issues, to convey our strong and united support for Ukraine and to consider efforts to accelerate our commitments to Ukraine. I emphasised Ireland’s steadfast solidarity and support for Ukraine and for further sanctions on Russia, as well as our strong support for Ukraine’s EU accession.

Under the item on the Middle East, we discussed how the EU can further contribute to peace efforts. I welcomed the recent announcement of a ceasefire and hostage release agreement, and reiterated the need to focus now on preserving the ceasefire and flooding Gaza with desperately needed humanitarian aid. The EU can play an important role in this regard. I also underlined the importance of Ireland and the EU playing our part in working towards a sustainable peace between Israel and Palestine through the implementation of the two-State solution.

During the meeting, also reflected on our relations with the Indo-Pacific region, with a focus on the implementation of the EU strategy for cooperation with this region, and preparations for the EU-Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum in November 2025.

Foreign Ministers also discussed the devastating humanitarian and displacement crisis in Sudan. Ireland continues to call for a cessation of hostilities, followed by a permanent, peaceful and inclusive political settlement, as well unhindered humanitarian access across the country. We also touched on the outcomes of recent parliamentary elections in the Republic of Moldova, and the situation in Georgia.