Helen McEntee
Meath East · Fine Gael · Ireland
“There are no new missions, so there is only so much we can partake in. In regard to UN requests over the past ten years, in September 2019, we had 14 Defence Forces personnel deployed to a UN mission in Mali as part of a joint operation with the German armed forces.”
“I thank the Deputy for his continued engagement on this matter. It is appreciated and I reaffirm our shared commitment to truth and justice, not least for Private Rooney, but in particular for his family.”
“I thank the Deputy for raising the matter. I know he is committed to this issue; I am too. I have in recent months spent some time travelling to different barracks and Army bases and meeting with personnel. What I see all over the country is their professionalism, dedication and commitment.”
“I disagree that people are being pushed into the courts. The situation is exactly the opposite. I have said in the Chamber many times since I started taking these questions that the State Claims Agency is there and wants to mediate and work directly with people in order that cases do not go directly to the courts.”
“We are all committed to strengthening recruitment to and supporting retention in the Permanent Defence Force. The military authorities have advised that the strength of the Permanent Defence Force stood at 7,823 personnel on 31 May, the most recent date for which we have a figure available.”
“It is the case that no mission is the same, so it is also a matter for the Defence Forces to assess and scope out the mission and then to decide whether it is a mission we can partake in. A question keeps being asked about what it is we would not be able to be a part of if we were to keep the triple lock.”
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“Ireland is known for its strong and principled tradition of humanitarian assistance, its sustained support for less visible crises and its track record of providing steadfast, quality funding, with a focus on reaching the most vulnerable. This matters to our partners as it supports effective delivery of aid to those who need it most in Sudan, its neighbouring countries and in other crises where conflict and climate have taken their toll. On the political track, Ireland has taken a proactive stance within the EU and has consistently advocated for Sudan to remain high on the European agenda. We played a leading role in initiating discussions on sanctions in 2023, which led to the establishment of the EU sanctions regime, and in securing strong EU Council conclusions on Sudan in October this year.”
“In the current global crisis of funding cuts to humanitarian aid budgets, I assure the House that Ireland will remain steadfast in maintaining our focus on reaching the furthest behind first. Our assistance is delivered through a range of international, Irish and local partners, providing urgent humanitarian relief to the most affected communities and those forced to flee across borders. Many of our multilateral partners, including UN agencies and global funds such as the Central Emergency Response Fund, CERF, to which Ireland provides core, pre-positioned funding to enable swift action, have provided significant funding to Sudan this year. UN CERF has provided $47 million in 2025 to support the people of Sudan. Ireland is the seventh largest donor to the CERF and has provided €15 million this year alone.”
“This is why we fully support the critical infrastructure initiative, led by the EU and the EU special representative for the Horn of Africa, Annette Weber. Ireland has consistently highlighted the scale of the humanitarian crisis, the critical levels of hunger and famine, the need for unhindered humanitarian access, and the profound impact of the conflict, in particular on women and girls. It is vital we continue to shine a light on this crisis. It must not slip back down the international community’s agenda until the next El Fasher occurs. On support to address the crisis, Ireland's sustained and substantial humanitarian assistance to the people of Sudan remains at the core of our response. We have provided €14.3 million in humanitarian assistance to support civilians in Sudan and those in neighbouring countries displaced by the crisis.”
“A dangerous technology and arms race is intensifying the conflict between the SAF and RSF, with dire consequences for Sudanese civilians. Both sides are employing increasingly sophisticated drone strikes to target civilian areas and infrastructure, a direct violation of international law. For instance, the RSF launched drone attacks on Khartoum and Port Sudan earlier this year. The SAF has similarly used drones to hit targets in Darfur, resulting in civilian deaths and casualties and causing damage to critical civilian infrastructure. The extensive destruction of civilian infrastructure, including energy, food, water and sanitation systems, deprives people of the services essential to their survival.”
“I acknowledge the local responders on the ground who are operating in hard-to-reach areas, often at immense personal risk. They form the backbone of aid efforts. They have shown unwavering courage and selfless dedication in serving their communities. Local community groups, often led by women, have carried on traditions of supporting one another even in the darkest times. We in turn are doing what we can to support their efforts. There are extensive and well-established rules on the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure, humanitarian access, the protection of humanitarian personnel and the protection of the sick and wounded and those caring for them. Yet we have seen time and again a blatant disregard for these international and legally binding humanitarian norms in this conflict.”
“Throughout this war, control of territory has shifted repeatedly and with each shift, we witness a familiar pattern of widespread human rights and humanitarian abuses and violations, mass displacement and a rapid deterioration of the humanitarian situation. We in the international community cannot stand back and watch as the suffering of the Sudanese people continues. We have witnessed the shocking and deliberate targeting of humanitarian workers, which is a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law. In addition, both warring parties are shrinking the humanitarian space further by imposing bureaucratic impediments in an attempt to assert authority and consolidate control. This puts humanitarian actors in a difficult position, as compliance with one party can jeopardise operations in the other’s territory.”
“Currently, the SAF holds Sudan's central and eastern regions, while the RSF controls Darfur and most of the Kordofans, which now form the conflict's new front line. Alarmingly, violence continues to escalate in north Darfur and the Kordofans, further exacerbating an already dire humanitarian crisis. The cities of Kadugli and Dilling in South Kordofan are currently under siege by RSF forces and El Obeid in North Kordofan is at risk of an all-out assault. Reports indicate that civilians along these emerging front lines are subject to similar horrors as those experienced during the battle for El Fasher.”
“Many Deputies will have seen or read shocking accounts of those who did manage to flee and the violence which they experienced or witnessed in their flight to safety. The scale of violence is unimaginable and, unfortunately, part of a widespread pattern of harm against civilians in this conflict. These actions are unconscionable and we must do everything in our power to ensure that they stop. The capture of El Fasher, the last stronghold of the SAF in Darfur, consolidates the RSF's control over that region. This increases the risk of Sudan's fragmentation between east and west and the potential for the partition of the country. The territorial unity and integrity of Sudan must be respected and partition must be avoided.”
“The RSF systematically targeted civilians during the siege and after the city’s fall, committing large-scale, ethnically motivated atrocities, including summary executions, the arbitrary detention of civilians and the use of sexual and gender-based violence and starvation as weapons of war. Too many of those who were trapped in El Fasher are still unaccounted for. Ireland's humanitarian partners, including the International Committee of the Red Cross and the International Rescue Committee, are on the ground and reporting regularly to us on efforts being made to support the population. Our Irish NGO partners are also supporting people in need in Darfur with essential life-saving aid.”
“These numbers are staggering, but it is important to remember that behind every statistic is a person, a family and a community. These are real people whose suffering cannot be captured by statistics alone. As my colleague reiterated this morning, there are many people in this country whose family members and communities are caught up in the ongoing conflict. I am appalled by, and strongly condemn, the targeting of civilians by both parties to the conflict, particularly the recent horrifying and brutal atrocities committed by the RSF following its takeover of the city of El Fasher on 26 October.”
“The conflict has resulted in untold suffering for the Sudanese people, with more than 150,000 people already dead. This is the world's worst humanitarian and protection crisis, with over 12 million people forcibly displaced. Over 21 million people, a shocking 45% of the population, are facing crisis levels of hunger. Famine, which was declared in parts of Darfur in 2024, has now been confirmed in El Fasher and Kadugli, with over 20 other areas across greater Darfur and greater Kordofan also at risk. Women and girls have been disproportionately affected. There has been an alarming spike in sexual violence in recent weeks as civilians have fled El Fasher, with egregious accounts of rape, human trafficking, forced marriage and sexual slavery. Sexual assault has been very much weaponised in this instance.”
“It has been over four years since the Rapid Support Forces, RSF, and the Sudanese Armed Forces forcibly halted Sudan's democratic transition and more than two years since conflict erupted, in April 2023, after a brutal power struggle between them. Sudan's conflict is labelled as a civil war, yet the millions of civilians caught between the parties to the conflict, including breakaway armed groups, did not choose to fight each other. Instead, they have been forced to bear the cost of this violent power struggle. In reality, this has always been a preventable crisis. The conflict has been significantly inflamed and prolonged by foreign interference. It is causing a humanitarian catastrophe exacerbated by the restrictions imposed on humanitarian access to people in need by the parties to the conflict.”
“I welcome this opportunity to provide an update to the House on the devastating conflict and humanitarian crisis in Sudan, and to hear the views and concerns of Deputies. Many have described the conflict and its impact as a forgotten crisis. In truth, it is has at times been an ignored and sidelined crisis. It is, as we heard this morning, the worst humanitarian catastrophe happening on our planet at the moment. It is welcome that we are having these statements and this prioritisation here today. I sincerely welcome the sustained interest shown by Members of the Oireachtas. It sends a very important message that this crisis and the plight of the Sudanese people cannot be ignored. It also reinforces the Government's commitment to keeping Sudan on the international agenda at EU level and at the United Nations.”
“Inquests that had been ordered but had not begun, such as that into the death of Michael Leonard, will be subject to a further decision by the UK Solicitor General on whether they would be appropriately dealt with as an ordinary inquest, as I mentioned earlier, via the coronial system or via the inquisitorial mechanism, which will sit under the reformed legacy commission. The important thing now is that the legislation is enacted. We will obviously follow through and enact our own legislation here once that is the case. It is about getting those bodies and institutions set up so that we can provide answers to families.”
“In any engagement with our counterparts in the North or in the UK, we must focus on the fact that these are families and these are tragedies that we have not got answers for. That needs to be front and centre in everything we do. We have turned a corner in our own relations with the UK and I can see that clearly over the last number of years, through my time as Minister for Justice, in the councils I sit on and my engagement to date, in particular with the secretary of state, Mr. Hilary Benn MP. I stress that the joint framework removes the legacy Act's prohibition on inquests. This will utterly change the landscape that we have been working with and that has prevented so many of these inquests from taking place. Inquests that were halted by the legacy Act will recommence.”
“The publication and the second reading of the Bill and the amendment to the legacy Act are moving forward. I welcome the speed at which the British Government has brought forward the Bill. It demonstrates the seriousness with which the secretary of state and his colleagues are approaching this absolutely essential work. The test will be to see if it faithfully reflects the agreement that was reached in September. I have every confidence in my initial engagement with Mr. Hilary Benn MP and others that they are working to ensure that this reflects faithfully the agreement that was put in place. Most important is that we can progress with the elements of the legislation that will hopefully give answers to Michael's family and to many others as well.”
“This is a case that has been ongoing for some time. It is important that families, and Michael's family in particular, get answers. Once the commitments in the joint framework are translated faithfully into legislation, the legacy commission will look and feel somewhat different from what we have had in the past. The governance and oversight structures will be much clearer and stronger. They will hopefully lead to greater independence, and then investigations can be carried out to recognised standards with statutory conflict of interest provisions to address real and perceived conflicts of interest. Importantly, a statutory victims and survivors advisory group will be established, ensuring that their voices are heard and they remain very much front and centre in this overall process.”
“Hilary Benn MP on this particular issue but also more broadly on ensuring that we can continue to strengthen and evolve relationships North, South, east and west. I look forward to, hopefully, meeting Ms Yvette Cooper MP soon and to making sure that those relations are strong and all matters can be discussed. I look forward to working with victim and survivor groups closely over the coming months, as well as with political parties in Northern Ireland, to ensure that the reformed legacy commission, once set up, has the ability to command the confidence of victims and survivors of the Troubles.”
“It lifts the ban on inquests and provides a way forward for those inquests, such as the inquest of Michael, that were ordered but not commenced before the 2023 Act. Once the implementing UK legislation has been passed and enacted, Michael's case will be independently assessed by the UK Solicitor General to consider whether it would be most appropriately dealt with by the reformed legacy commission or via the coronial system. This assessment will be carried out on the basis of specific criteria set out in legislation, including the views of families and the next of kin. Too many families in Northern Ireland have waited for far too long for truth and accountability. My focus is now on making sure that the processes established by the joint framework are up and running as soon as possible. I have already engaged with Mr.”
“The case of the person in question, Michael, and the family's desire for answers have been raised on a number of occasions at ministerial level with the UK Government. As the Deputy mentioned, following new evidence unearthed since the dismissal of the initial inquest in 1973, the Attorney General for Northern Ireland ordered a fresh inquest into the person in question's death on 30 April 2024. Unfortunately, this new inquest was never commenced due to the UK legacy Act, introduced in May 2024. The joint framework on legacy, announced on 19 September by the two Governments, fundamentally reforms the 2023 UK legacy Act. It aims to provide a pathway to truth and accountability and, to the extent possible, justice for those most affected by the violence of the Troubles.”
“At the meeting we had only recently, the first meeting of the Palestinian Authority with member states as well as countries in the Middle East and beyond, I restated Ireland's call for Israel to release over €3 billion of funds it is withholding in taxes. That would go a long way towards helping to start rebuilding, whether it is investment in hospitals and schools or shelter for those who need it most, particularly coming into what is going to be a cold winter period.”
“We need to acknowledge and look to the fact that the peace plan, although a lot of work still needs to be done, made reference to a pathway for a two-state solution. That is something Ireland has consistently called for and supports and that many other member states are now supporting. It is something we need to work towards in making sure we have a pathway towards a two-state solution. First and foremost, our priority needs to be ensuring the ceasefire, which is extremely fragile, can hold and that the thousands of malnourished and starving children and citizens more broadly who need aid get access to that aid, and that we ensure that what the Palestinian Authority needs to rebuild Gaza can be provided to it.”
“I again reiterated the need for it to remain on the table at the Council meeting. I will not lie. There are other member states and individuals who think we should take it off the table and that that would allow for further progress to be made. While there continue to be persistent breaches of the ceasefire by Israel, however, we need to make sure that every lever available to us is very firmly on the table. In terms of the legislation, again I have given a very clear commitment that we will uphold our programme for Government commitment that we will progress it. I am waiting on further information and advice, and once I have that, we will be able to make further progress.”
“I thank the Deputy. I do acknowledge that other colleagues have made progress in terms of implementing legislation. Some of it did not have to happen in the same way that we have to progress our legislation. I stress also that it happened prior to the ceasefire. I think what is really important and what our focus and priority need to be on, not just at home but at an EU level and internationally, is making sure that ceasefire holds. It is very clear breaches are occurring. It is very clear more humanitarian aid needs to be let through. This is why it is absolutely essential that in the context of the EU-Israel Association Agreement, the proposal that has been put on the table that would remove those preferential tariffs remains on the table. Ireland is the country that pushed for and initiated that process.”
“In addition, the Tánaiste, in his capacity as the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, wrote to High Representative Kallas in advance of the June Foreign Affairs Council to ask how the Commission assesses the impact on the EU-Israel Association Agreement of the International Court of Justice, ICJ, advisory opinion of July 2024. The High Representative responded to his letter on 17 October, indicating the Commission’s view that the EU’s current approach is in line with the spirit and letter of the ICJ advisory opinion. Our assessment is different, so we are currently studying the detail of the response provided by the High Representative and considering next steps.”
“The Government has always been of the view that the EU-Israel Association Agreement must be interpreted and applied in accordance with the obligations of the EU and its Member States under international law. In June, the Government approved the general scheme of the Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory (prohibition of importation of goods) Bill. The main purpose of the Bill is to prohibit the importation of goods into the State from Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem. It remains the Government’s preference that collective action would be taken at EU level and we continue to pursue this. At the EU level, the primary objective right now is ensuring the success of what is a very fragile ceasefire and peace deal.”
“The European Commission subsequently put forward a number of proposals, one of which was to suspend the core trade-related provisions of the Association Agreement. Ireland has welcomed the Commission proposals and encouraged other member states to support them. Notwithstanding the positive and welcome recent developments with regard to a ceasefire and hostage release deal in Gaza, Ireland along with other member states, has made clear our view that the proposals should remain on the table. In her state of the Union address, the President of the European Commission was clear on the rationale for tabling the package, which remains valid, as we discussed last week.”
“I thank the Deputy for the question. On 14 February 2024, the then Taoiseach, along with Prime Minister Sánchez of Spain, wrote to the President of the European Commission requesting an urgent review of whether Israel was complying with its humanitarian rights obligations under the EU-Israel Association Agreement. Furthermore, the letter requested that the Commission propose appropriate measures for the consideration of the Council, should it find that Israel was in breach of its obligations. A review of the EU-Israel Association Agreement, initiated by the Foreign Affairs Council in May 2025, found that actions taken by the Israeli Government represented a breach of essential elements relating to respect for human rights and democratic principles.”
“It is about how we can make sure we impose as much pressure on Russia as possible to try to bring it to the table, so that any negotiations around a peace process and a ceasefire are fair and balanced. It is important that Russia does feel pressure because, to date, for a lot of this ongoing war, Russia has not felt the pressure that it needs to. In Europe, we need to do everything we can through sanctions, diplomatic channels and our work with the US to make sure we can bring about a lasting peace. Again, this is not just about Ukraine, albeit that country is front and centre. This is already starting to seep into the security of European member states and we need to make sure it does not go any further.”
“I thank the Deputy. I again stress that there are very clearly elements of the plan put forward that are not realistic, not credible and will not be accepted by Ukraine and will certainly not be accepted by the EU. We must, though, use this as a framework and basis for discussions, which, to date, have not taken place. It is very clear that this is an illegal war, very clear that Vladimir Putin is responsible for war crimes and very clear that these are continuing as we speak, so we need to make sure that Ireland's voice is strong. We must continue to put pressure on Russia. In our conversations last week at the Foreign Affairs Council - and the 19th sanctions package is currently under way - there was a proposal and suggestion on a 20th package of sanctions.”
“There is a recommendation or a proposal for an unconditional ceasefire that has been on the table since March. Ukraine has been very clear that it will sign up to that. It would ensure that all lines as they currently stand would be frozen, that people would come around the table and that negotiations on many of the matters that we have seen in the 28 point plan could be discussed at that stage. I would encourage that it would be something that is still on the table. We need to make sure that we support any discussions and negotiations but that our absolute commitment and priority is that Ukraine is supported and that it agrees to whatever is on the table in the proposals.”
“We have to acknowledge that there are very clear efforts on the part of the US to try and bring about a ceasefire, while at the same time acknowledging that elements of the 28 point plan that we saw put forward very clearly need further work. We cannot have a situation where land is ceded by force. That simply cannot be the basis for any type of ceasefire. We cannot have a situation where a country cannot in the future be able to defend itself should something like this happen again. Likewise, we cannot have a situation where Europe is committed to certain things without Europe being around the table. It is really important that Europe is part of the conversations, negotiations and discussions and that Ukraine agrees to whatever is put forward.”
“It is welcome that assurances have been given that the EU will be involved in discussions on issues that directly relate to it, such as enlargement and immobilised assets.”
“A massive attack on Kharkiv on Sunday resulted in the loss of more innocent lives. This follows an appalling attack on Ternopil in recent weeks that killed 34 people, including six children. It is crucial that any agreement upholds Ukraine's sovereignty and independence and is based on respect for the principles of the UN Charter. The fundamental principle that borders cannot be changed by force must be upheld. Any agreement must also protect Ukraine's and Europe's vital security. That means strong, credible guarantees that ensure Ukraine can defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity to avoid a repetition of the past. This is not just vital for Ukraine - it is also vital for the European Union and all its member states, including Ireland.”
“The emerging US proposals, as well as plans for further negotiations, represent a very welcome step forward. I also welcome the progress made at Sunday's meetings between the US and Ukraine in Geneva. I welcome the fact that EU institutions and member states were also present. We look forward to these talks continuing in a positive manner and to further progress being achieved. Ukraine is engaging positively - we can see that from the commentary and President Zelenskyy himself. They are engaging constructively in these discussions despite the ongoing military assault on their towns, cities, ports and critical energy infrastructure. I do not believe the actions of Russia are the actions of a country that wants peace. However, we have to work towards that sole objective and goal.”
“As the Minister of State said in reply to an earlier question, there can be nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine. That is something that has consistently been said at a European level. At this critical juncture for Ukraine, after almost four years of brutal Russian aggression, I want to again emphasise Ireland's unequivocal support and solidarity with Ukraine. I welcome the ongoing efforts of President Trump and the United States to end Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine and to achieve a just and lasting peace and security for Ukraine but also for the wider European region. It is more important than ever that Europe and the United States continue to work together to achieve this as it can only happen with the support of Europe as well as the US.”
“I specifically raised the fact that €3 billion in tax revenues are being withheld by Israel that should be going directly to Palestine, which would significantly help with the rebuilding, the investment in hospitals that is so badly needed and support for schools and young people. I will continue to raise this and many more issues, but we will also continue to ensure that aid is provided. Once the ceasefire agreement was reached, €6 million was committed by this Government to provide aid directly to Palestinian people. That aid is getting through, albeit, again, not at the rate we want it to.”
“The immediate challenge is that there are tens of thousands of children who will starve to death if we do not increase the number of aid trucks that are flowing through. It is important to say that Irish aid trucks are getting through. Our officials have been on the ground and have been able to verify that, whether it is tents, food or medicine that is being provided, but we need substantially more. There are blockages being put in the way by Israel and we need that to change. I will do everything that I can and use my voice and work with colleagues to ensure that the aid increases. In terms of the rebuilding of Gaza, in my meeting last week, we also had the first meeting with the Palestinian Authority and the Prime Minister and members of the Palestinian Authority who attended, with members from the Middle East, Europe and beyond.”
“We cannot allow either side or party to the peace agreement to breach that in the way they are consistently doing, so we need to make sure that there are levers still available to us to respond to these changes. Of course, from our perspective, we will continue to provide aid that is very much needed, not just in terms of humanitarian aid and the trucks that are flowing in, but also other financing that is now going to be needed to rebuild Gaza. We must make sure that we can focus on that and that it is a priority when we talk about a ceasefire and a lasting peace.”
“The Deputy is right to highlight the fact that the ceasefire at the moment is very clearly being breached in some instances but we also need to make sure our focus does not get averted from what is happening in the West Bank. I raised with colleagues last week that the number of people who have been killed in the West Bank in the last two years alone is almost as many as those who have been killed in the last 20 years. There has been an escalation of violence within the West Bank and we need to consistently call this out and do everything in our power to make sure this can be responded to adequately. The suspension of preferential tariffs via the association agreement is still on the table because Ireland and other member states have pushed for that to be the case.”
“The primary focus at EU level right now is ensuring the success of the ceasefire and the peace deal and on making contributions to international efforts. We also must urgently address the humanitarian situation on the ground in Gaza. I mentioned this before. We had an update at the Council earlier last week where we were told that over 40,000 young children are still at risk of starvation. While there is a significant increase in the number of humanitarian trucks allowing aid to flow into Gaza, it is nowhere near enough. I reiterate that I intend to write to the EU High Representative to see what further political pressure Europe and all of our counterparts can put on Israel to make sure it lifts the significant blockade on some of the aid that is due to get in.”
“In this context, the adoption of a resolution on Gaza by the UN Security Council, the first in many years, is a further step towards implementation of the peace plan. The ceasefire is nevertheless fragile, as I have mentioned, and must be preserved. All parties must adhere to their commitments in full. It is clear that this is not happening, given the fact that many innocent civilians have been killed, even in recent days. All parties must desist from any actions inconsistent with what has been agreed and continue to negotiate in good faith to ensure full implementation. Our current focus is on supporting efforts to build up this fragile ceasefire and we call on all parties to work to ensure peace efforts are successful and to refrain from further violence.”
“Achieving a just and lasting settlement of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict has been a priority for this Government, with Ireland’s foreign policy on this issue clear and consistent and grounded in the commitment to upholding international law. The agreement on a ceasefire and the hostage deal represents welcome progress. It has brought desperately-needed respite to Palestinians in Gaza and relief to the people of Israel, although we all know it is a very fragile ceasefire and something that needs to be worked on. I commend the efforts of the US, as well as Qatar, Türkiye and Egypt, in securing this much-needed agreement. I also commend efforts to progress implementation of what has been agreed. The international community, Ireland included, must play its part if these efforts are to succeed.”
“I have no doubt that citizens in Ireland will continue to raise their voices, to make sure their concerns are heard and to work collectively continue to do everything we can to ensure that the ceasefire holds. For any citizens of Ireland in the UK or anywhere else who need consular assistance, it is there and available to them. We need to make sure that as a country we reiterate and stress every individual's human right to peaceful protest and that is certainly something I will do with my UK colleague.”
“Again, as this is currently before the courts, it is not an issue I can raise with my UK counterpart or discuss here today. What I can and will say to my colleague when we meet is that there is an absolutely necessity to uphold the individual's right to peaceful protest. This is something that we cherish in this country. More broadly, in terms of our support for Palestine, there has been unanimous support for the need to reach a ceasefire. I very much welcome the ceasefire that has been reached, albeit that it is very fragile and difficult. I also very much welcome the fact that hostages have been released and that humanitarian aid has started to flow into Gaza, albeit, again, not at the level that it needs to be. We need to make sure that every single one of our actions now cements and upholds the ceasefire that is currently in place.”
“Obviously, where that crosses the line and there is violence and use of force, we move into a different space, but we uphold every individual's international right to peaceful protest. That is certainly something that I can and will raise with my counterpart when I meet her, hopefully in the weeks ahead.”
“Again, as I said already, as this is before the courts, I will not specifically reference what the Deputy has outlined. What I will do is restate and emphasise Ireland's absolute support for and commitment to a person's right to peacefully protest, which is extremely important. We also place a very strong emphasis on making sure that any Irish citizens abroad who find themselves in difficulty, whether relating to something like this or otherwise, would have consular assistance. Again, I stress that if any citizens need that assistance, it is there and available to them. Of course, in my engagement with Ms Yvette Cooper or anyone else in the UK Government, I will stress that this is an area that Ireland is very clear and very strong on. Individuals have a right to peaceful protest on matters that are concerning to them.”
“Consular assistance is provided in a strictly confidential manner and, as with all cases, my Department does not comment on the details of individual cases. That said, we are there to support any Irish citizens.”
“More broadly, though, the Government remains committed to upholding human rights, including those pertaining to freedom of expression and the right to peaceful protest, both domestically and internationally. These fundamental rights are enshrined in international human rights instruments to which both Ireland and the United Kingdom are signatories. These are issues that would regularly be discussed as part of overall political dialogue between Ireland and all of its partners, including the UK. My Department will continue to monitor developments in this area, including in respect of any cases involving Irish citizens. The provision of consular assistance to Irish citizens is an important element of the work of my Department.”
“Our focus is now on preserving the ceasefire and ensuring that humanitarian aid flows into and throughout Gaza. Ireland has been clear that all parties must adhere to their commitments in full, desist from any actions inconsistent with what has been agreed and continue to negotiate in good faith to ensure full implementation. In respect of the British Government's decision to designate Palestinian Action as a terrorist organisation under its Terrorism Act, I understand that this decision is subject to judicial review and is currently before the High Court in London. The Deputy will appreciate that I cannot comment on a live case that is before the British courts, in the same way that I would not comment on something that is before the Irish courts.”