Barry Ward (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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3. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position regarding any bi-lateral relations with Sudan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57640/25]

Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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Ireland has had diplomatic relations with Sudan since 1984, with accreditation changing from our Embassy in Cairo to the Embassy in Nairobi in 2016. A Sudanese Embassy was established in Dublin in 2016. The most recently accredited Ambassador of Sudan to Ireland departed in 2023, with a Chargé d’Affaires ad interim currently in post.

On 20 October, the EU Foreign Affairs Council, which the Tanaiste attended, adopted conclusions which expressed the extreme concern of the EU about the unity, territorial integrity and stability of Sudan. These are at serious risk, with increasing fragmentation along political and ethnic lines. This is further exacerbated by the emergence of parallel governing structures, which we strongly condemn. The EU reaffirmed its steadfast commitment to the sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of Sudan. Ireland and our EU partners reject any attempts to partition Sudan.

Since the outbreak of conflict in 2023, Ireland has consistently highlighted the scale of the humanitarian crisis, with a particular focus on the levels of acute hunger and famine, large-scale displacement, and the impact of the conflict on women and girls.

The provision of humanitarian assistance is a major priority for Ireland. In 2025, the Government has committed €14.3 million to UN Agencies, Irish and international NGO partners for the Sudan crisis. €10.3 million is committed to support humanitarian work in Sudan and €4 million to support the humanitarian response for displaced populations in neighbouring countries.

The conflict in Sudan is a human catastrophe that risks wider stability in the region. Ireland will continue to work to keep Sudan on the international agenda. We stand ready to lend support to mediation and other efforts aimed at ending the conflict and making urgent progress on the needed democratic transition.

Ireland looks forward to the re-establishment of full bilateral engagement with Sudanese authorities in the context of an end to the conflict and the establishment of a genuinely inclusive, representative and independent civilian governance.

Barry Ward (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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4. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the UN report (details supplied) in relation to the delivery of arms to Sudan; if this matter has been raised at an EU council level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57641/25]

Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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I am aware of the report to which the Deputy refers.

We remain deeply concerned by the devastating conflict in Sudan, which has led to the world’s worst humanitarian crisis. More than 150,000 people have already been killed and some 12 million people forcibly displaced.

The Government is gravely concerned by reports that arms continue to reach parties to the conflict, despite existing UN and EU embargoes and sanctions. The EU Foreign Affairs Council Meeting held on 20 October issued conclusions on Sudan which urged all external actors directly or indirectly supplying arms, financial support, or support of any other kind to the warring parties to immediately cease such support and to comply with the UN arms embargo.

Ireland initiated discussions on EU sanctions in 2023, which led to the establishment and implementation of EU sanctions targeting both parties to the conflict and their backers. Ireland also initiated EU Council Conclusions on Sudan in October 2024, which condemned indiscriminate and direct targeting of civilians, called on parties to abide by their obligations under international law, and called for an immediate ceasefire and sustainable resolution of the conflict through dialogue.

Specific allegations of embargo and sanction violations are pursued through the appropriate multilateral fora, including the United Nations Security Council, the European Union, and the relevant UN Sanctions Committees. Through these channels, Ireland continues to call on all parties to comply fully with their obligations and to refrain from any action that could fuel further violence.

In 2025, Ireland has committed €14.3 million to UN Agencies, Irish and international NGO partners for the Sudan crisis. €10.3 million is committed to support humanitarian work in Sudan and €14m to support the humanitarian response for displaced populations in neighbouring countries.

The conflict in Sudan is a human catastrophe that risks wider stability in the region. Ireland will continue to work to keep Sudan on the international agenda and stands ready to lend its support to mediation and other efforts aimed at ending the conflict and urgent progress on the needed democratic transition.