Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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159. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade her views on the current situation in Sudan; the action being taken in concert with EU partners; the details of the humanitarian aid Ireland has provided; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [66063/25]

Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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The Government remains deeply concerned by the devastating conflict in Sudan, which has led to the world’s worst humanitarian and protection crisis, with more than 150,000 people already dead, over 12 million people forcibly displaced and over 21 million people facing crisis levels of hunger, including famine.

I am appalled by the targeting of civilians by all parties to the conflict. We have seen horrifying atrocities at the hands of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in El-Fasher and escalating violence in North Darfur and the Kordofans. Large-scale, ethnically motivated atrocities, including summary executions, sexual and gender-based violence and detentions of civilians are part of a widespread pattern, including the use of rape and starvation as weapons of war. These actions are unconscionable and must stop.

There must be accountability and justice for such atrocities. Ireland, together with Germany, UK, Netherlands and Norway, succeeded in ensuring the adoption of a resolution on the situation in El Fasher at a Special Session of the Human Rights Council on 14 November. The resolution requests the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission for Sudan to conduct an urgent inquiry into the violations and abuses of international human rights and humanitarian law committed in and around El Fasher. The environment of impunity in Sudan must end.

Ireland has taken a leading role in initiating discussions which led to the establishment of the EU sanctions regime. The EU Foreign Affairs Council in October adopted Council Conclusions strongly condemning the ongoing conflict. Ireland successfully called for Sudan to be placed on the agenda at this month’s EU Foreign Affairs Council, which adopted restrictive measures against a senior RSF commander. I

We will continue to work internationally with our EU and other partners to call on all parties to adhere to their obligations to protect civilians and aid workers, and to ensure immediate, unconditional, and unhindered humanitarian access, in full compliance with international humanitarian law.

Ireland has provided €14.3 million in humanitarian assistance in 2025 to support communities in Sudan and those displaced in neighbouring countries. This assistance is channelled through UN and Red Cross partners, Irish NGOs, and local organisations to provide food, medical supplies, household supplies and other life-saving aid to those most in need. We are committed to further increasing our assistance in 2026.