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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“We have consistently called for access and the ability to engage directly with them by our teams, and that has been denied to us. I utterly condemn these actions. Whether it is the Irish Government or any other government, it is not acceptable that we have been prevented from engaging and speaking directly to citizens. I am also aware that there are reports that two citizens have been hospitalised. They are not Irish citizens. Again, this information has been brought to my attention. We are aware of reports that others have been injured. As soon as I can, I will provide an update to the House as to whether that includes any Irish citizens. Again, let me be very clear about these actions.”
“I thank Deputy Doherty. If I can, I will take the opportunity to inform the House exactly what the current situation is with the 14 Irish citizens who have been detained. The Government has been very clear in condemning the actions of the Israeli Government and the illegal detention and detainment of our citizens and many others in international waters. The behaviour this week by an Israeli Minister has been completely appalling. My priority and that of the Government has been to make sure that our citizens are safe, that they are accounted for and that they can get home as quickly as possible. I can now confirm that the 14 Irish citizens who were being detained in Israel have arrived at the airport in Ramon. They are all being transported by air to Istanbul. We will have an ambassador there on the ground to meet with them directly.”
“I engaged directly with colleagues at the most recent Council meeting. We have raised this matter directly with the chair of the Foreign Affairs Council. Since then, I have been advocating and working with colleagues to try to make sure this comes to a vote at the next Council meeting.”
“My colleague, the Minister of State, has responsibility for development aid. During our Presidency, one of our core priorities will be values. That means making sure that the values that underpin the European Union and the actions that we take are upheld. That means supporting life-saving organisations like UNRWA and the World Food Programme that are supporting people in Gaza, not pulling back our funding as other countries have done, but actually advocating and building a consensus to make sure the funding is reinstated and increased at a time when it is needed.”
“The truck heights allowed on one day change the next day and then they have to offload. The types of products allowed in one day changes and they then have to change the truck again. The food that they are allowed to bring in is being left to sit in a warehouse going out of date and then when it is out of date it is not let in. It is unbelievable to think that the actions being taken are being done to prevent food and life-saving treatment from getting in. At the same time, the figures will show that hundreds of trucks are coming in. What it does not say is that it might be a truck full of Nutella or a truck full of goods that are going to be sold that people cannot actually afford. These are the types of actions that we need to continue to highlight and which I am highlighting at the Foreign Affairs Council.”
“Again this is symptomatic of a government that continues to take these types of actions, whether it is the reintroduction of the death penalty, public prosecutions and subsequently executions that they are discussing or the consistent blocking of humanitarian aid getting to innocent civilians in Gaza who are really suffering and see no end in sight. To that effect, at every Foreign Affairs Council meeting I have been at, I have specifically raised the need for more humanitarian aid to be let in. When I travelled to Egypt and to the Gaza crossing in January of this year, my main focus was to meet with those who are delivering the aid to talk to them about the challenges they are facing. It is very clear that blockages have been put in their way every day.”
“We should also propose new sanctions that would prohibit trade with Israel in the occupied territories or with settlers in the occupied territories. I have been working on this for some time to try to build a consensus. We need to make sure that this comes to a vote as soon as possible to allow us to respond in that strong collective way. Like others, I have been looking at the response on the international stage as well. There has been global condemnation of the actions by the individual minister.”
“My focus and priority this week have been ensuring the safety of our citizens who have been on board the flotilla. I am pleased to say that they are now on buses on the way to the airport and that our officials are on their way to the airport, if they are not already there, to assist and support them. We have been strong in condemning the actions of the Israeli Government. As I said earlier, the way in which we can respond effectively and send a very clear message to the Israeli Government that this is not acceptable, and that not just Ireland but the EU as a whole will not accept this kind of behaviour, is by collectively agreeing to suspend the trade elements of the EU-Israel association agreement or indeed the association agreement itself.”
“As the Deputy knows, in the last few weeks the Government has provided €750 million directly to individuals in their homes, but also to businesses to make sure that they continue to be viable and a part of a growing economy in what has been a very challenging and difficult time. The one thing that comes through from the forum is the demand and need for certainty in a time of uncertainty. That is what we have been striving to achieve, as well as supporting businesses.”
“Tariffs are not good for business or consumers. We want to work closely with the US to make sure we can reduce tariffs where possible. The ongoing conflict in the Gulf was a key focus point for the trade forum. It is safe to say that every business, large or small, I have met in the last number of weeks is experiencing the impact of the knock-on implications of what is happening in the Gulf, not least because of the cost of fuel. Of course, the price of commodities has continued to increase because of the conflict in Ukraine and now because of this ongoing conflict in the Gulf. It is important that we understand exactly how these conflicts are impacting sectors and how we can respond and provide supports and services.”
“There is a real opportunity to do more. In the coming weeks we will welcome further visitors from Canada, which will provide an opportunity to strengthen that relationship. The EU-US trade relationship is certainly on the agenda of every meeting. I am pleased this week that the EU has agreed the pathway forward for our side of the Turnberry agreement. Before the summer and before we take over the EU Presidency, I hope that we can see significant progress on more areas and the priorities that we want to work closely with the US on. We are working closely with the Commission on issues relating to the agrifood sector, the aviation industry, medtech and other areas to make sure that we can support our industries here. The relationship with the US is strong. Zero tariffs benefit everybody and that is where we would like to get to.”
“When we look at the overall figures - not just the number of diaspora we managed to reach, which was really quite substantial but also at the number in the business community - about 6,500 people across the world attended different business events we hosted not just stateside but in South America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Australia and Africa. There has been a huge focus on how we can identify more ways to open up trade, to support business to grow and to open up new markets as well. We also focused on our engagement on our relationship with Canada. Unfortunately, a trade mission had to be postponed but that is a relationship that has grown from strength to strength. As we celebrate ten years of CETA and hope to ratify CETA this year, we can see that investment increasing significantly into the billions every year.”
“At the last forum, I was joined by the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance; the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, Deputy Chambers; the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Heydon; the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Deputy Lawless, and the Minister of State with responsibility for European affairs, Deputy Byrne. Other Government officials and CEOs from State agencies also attended. This was the 12th meeting we have had. In particular, we reflected on the recent St. Patrick's Day programme, which was the largest in the history of the State. It was welcomed by all of those at the meeting.”
“We have tried to set out that we have an actual plan and that we are focused on various priorities at the different trade meetings. This year, I have convened three meetings of the forum and the minutes are available on digitalhouseireland.ie . My intention is to maintain that intensity of meetings. While a date has not yet been set, there will be another forum in June. This will give us an opportunity to focus on more key areas.”
“Patrick's Day this year, where that market diversification focus came through. Regarding the action plan on competitiveness and productivity, the Deputy will be aware that competitiveness is one of the key overarching themes of our Presidency in the six months ahead. We want to make sure that not just Ireland but the EU as a whole remains competitive and open and are investing in research and innovation. To do that effectively, we need to always be listening to business. That is why this forum is invaluable because we are hearing directly back from those in business and getting their ideas as well as giving them an opportunity to highlight where there are challenges. Agendas and minutes of the Government trade forum are published on digitalhouseireland.ie . Deputies can see that there is an approved work plan for 2026.”
“The make up of the committee is reflective of some of our most important sectors and some of our most important relationships, including with the US and the UK chambers. We also have representatives from chambers across Europe. This is part of a more comprehensive and deliberative approach taken by the Government to make sure that Ireland's continued economic growth is resilient, so that despite all the uncertainty that we continue to focus on economic growth. This approach also includes the national development plan, which was published in recent months. We are moving to implement budget 2026 and we are now starting to talk about budget 2027 and the mutually supportive action plan and market diversification which was a real focus and priority for us, in particular during our visits for St.”
“I propose to take Questions Nos. 10, 31 and 51 together. I thank the Deputy for this question. The trade forum has become a vital form of engagement between Government, Departments and Ministers but also important key trading stakeholders during a very uncertain and challenging time for international trade. The information and, importantly, the real-time feedback received from the members is extremely valuable. The Tánaiste established this last year during his time in this role. The intention was to make sure that there was that two-way flow of information, particularly in light of what was happening with the US, and that there was an ability for Government to outline the actions it was taking and for individual Ministers in specific sectors to outline the actions they are taking and for sectors and industry to provide feedback to us.”
“I will work to build that consensus at a European level. I assure Deputies that those who were on the flotilla and who are on their way to the airport will be met by our officials to make sure they are safe and supported.”
“We have stressed this but at this stage the only way we can take firm action is that the EU collectively responds by suspending the trade element of the association agreement and that we move to ban trade in the illegal settlements as well. At home, I have given that clear commitment again. I will bring forward legislation in the coming weeks. There are many people who do not agree with the sanctions Bill that was put forward because it is a blanket ban.”
“Actually what struck me was the fact that he spoke about how he works with people from both sides, from Israel and Palestine, and how he sees a hopeful future and how he still sees an opportunity for Israel and Palestine and for the Israelis and Palestinians to live side by side. This gave me a sense that people on the ground still have that hope and that we need to continue to focus on that overall objective and that goal, as difficult as it might seem. In terms of the flotilla, again, I cannot condemn in any stronger way possible the actions by the Israeli Government in illegally detaining Irish and other citizens in international waters. It is completely against international law.”
“My team has been engaging with other countries to try to build the consensus that there would be a vote and that we would be voting on this but potentially - and it is my preference - that we would also vote on a new proposal that would ban trade in the illegally occupied territories. There are two options here but in relation to this, I have written to the High Representative. This has been shared with all the member states. We discussed it at the last meeting and I am pushing for it to be voted on. In the conversation I had with Bishop Shomali, he spoke about the increasing violence. As someone who has lived in the region all his life, he spoke about the change he has seen.”
“On the EU-Israel Association Agreement, before the last meeting I wrote directly to the High Representative, Kaja Kallas, to ask that this issue be put on the agenda. I engaged with other colleagues who also signed that letter, Spain and Slovenia in particular. While the vote was specifically was on the sanction of violent settlers. I advocated again in the Council meeting with all our colleagues that this would be put to a vote. It was not put to a vote at the last meeting. I have advocated that it be put to a vote as soon as possible, preferably at the next Council meeting, which is in early June.”
“-----that the second stage of the peace agreement is not progressing because our efforts are focused on all the other conflicts that are happening. I and this Government are, at every step of the way, making sure our focus remains on this while trying to build a consensus as I have just outlined.”
“We must make sure we do not lose sight of the fact that in Gaza there are still millions of people who are not getting access to appropriate humanitarian aid, food and water. They are not getting the assistance they need. We must focus on the fact that Palestinian authorities still have billions of euro owed to them by the Israeli Government that they are not being given. We have to remain focused on the fact-----”
“There are citizens in Israel who do not agree with what the Israeli Government is doing. Imposing a blanket ban in the way the Deputy is suggesting, in a way we have not imposed with Russia or any other country, is imposing a blanket ban. It is also an EU competency and that is why we are advocating for the suspension of the EU-Israel trade association agreement at an EU level. Separately, the occupied territories Bill is specific to the occupied territories. This has already been made very clear in international law and the EU agrees. They are illegally occupied territories. That is why we are pursuing the occupied territories Bill and that is why I will publish legislation in the coming weeks. In tandem with that, we will pursue action at an EU level when it comes to the overall trade association agreement.”
“Whether people agree or disagree with the approach taken by the flotilla, I certainly understand why people have taken that approach. People in Ireland feel they want to do something. Many feel they cannot and these types of actions have been taken. I am very clear, whether you agree or disagree with it, that they were illegally detained in international waters. It is completely against the law and that is why I and other countries have, in the strongest terms possible, objected to this. I have raised this at the highest level and I will continue to push for change and response at an EU level. I have been doing that this week and for the last number of weeks. In terms of the sanctions Bill, an outright blanket ban has no legal basis. Trade is an EU competency. We all know that.”
“I thank the Deputies. It is important that it was asked what our longer term objective is. We cannot lose sight of that even though it seems impossible in some ways that a two-state solution would still be a focus and a priority. It has to be. That is why Ireland continues to be actively involved in the global alliance on the two-state solution. That is why I hosted, with others, a conference in Croke Park at the beginning of this year where we explained and set out our own experience of what has happened in the North and how, at times, when it seemed a peace process would be impossible, we worked at it and it is something we are still working on. I discussed with Bishop William Shomali how we are focused on a two-state solution and what that looks like despite all of the complications and difficulties we are in at the moment.”
“Our embassy team is on the way to the airport as well to make sure we have direct engagement with them. We have raised in no uncertain terms, as have other member states, the horror and dissatisfaction at the way in which our citizens have been treated. That is why we now need to make sure that these are not just words we are saying. We need to make sure we follow them through with actions at the next European Council and Foreign Affairs Council meetings. I will also be raising this at the Trade Council this week. It will be the first time that it will be raised at the Trade Council and the vote will then take place at the later Council meetings.”
“I will publish legislation in the coming weeks, and we will enact this separate to and in parallel with what is happening at a European level. It is important that we agree at a European level to do this, but it is also important that we progress the legislation that we have said we are committed to and we have been working on. We will work collectively with colleagues because that is something that everybody in this House will support. The last few days have shown us that we need to change the behaviour of the Israeli Government. I want to reassure colleagues that we continue to engage with the Israeli authorities in relation to our citizens. We have 14 citizens who are detained on land in Israel. They, along with the other countries' citizens, are now in a convoy of buses to the airport and they will be deported to Istanbul from there.”
“I have been trying to build a consensus so that we will have this vote at the next European Council and Foreign Affairs Council meetings. I have written again and engaged with Kaja Kallas, who is the chair of the Council, to advocate that this will happen, and I hope that member states will support this. We saw the condemnation right across the EU yesterday. There were public comments not just in the EU but also internationally, and I hope that this is a turning point for people, and we can respond collectively. Separate to that at home, the Government made a clear commitment that it would enact the occupied territories Bill. This Bill was published last summer. The Department and I have been engaging directly with the Attorney General on this. I am saying clearly this morning that I will bring forward the occupied territories Bill.”
“We have all been talking about what has happened in the last few days and seen the way in which Irish citizens and many other countries' citizens have been treated after being illegally detained in international waters. We need to act in unison, and we need Europe to respond, and that is what I have been advocating for. I want to clarify again that the reason we have advocated for the trade side of things is because this requires qualified majority voting, QMV, in the Parliament. It requires the vote of 55% of member states whereas if we were to propose other possible sanctions, they may require unanimity. We just know - I am sitting around those tables - that there are countries that will not support them.”
“We know that these settlements are illegal and that trade with these settlements is illegal, so we want to make sure that Europe responds to this and does so collectively because I believe, and I think we all believe in this House, that this is the strongest way in which we can send a very clear message. It will also impact the Israeli Government and the actions it has taken. Since we have had these discussions over the past number of months, Israel has not only continued to increase its settlement policy and done so very publicly in the West Bank, but it has also reintroduced the death penalty, which is taking a step hundreds of years back. It has now said that it will have public prosecutions as well as executions.”
“This is to suspend the trade elements of the EU-Israel association agreement. This is where there is essentially preferential treatment across of all our agreements, including trade agreements, with Israel. If this was suspended, it would be at a cost of billions of euro for the Israeli economy. We have not only clearly asked for this to be put on the table but have also said that we would vote for it. Along with other colleagues, I have also been advocating for a further proposal by the Commission that would essentially ban trade in the occupied territories in the West Bank. This is in line with what we know should be implemented.”
“At last week's meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council, we did just that. The Commission's proposal from last year was to sanction violent settlers in the West Bank and those who support them, including Ministers within the Israeli Government. The leaders in Hamas who carried out the atrocities that started so much of what we are talking about would also be sanctioned. That was voted on and agreed. It was agreed because of the pressure that we put on but also the fact that Hungary has changed its position. I welcome that, and I hope to see it continue in any future vote. What we have advocated for since then, and what I advocated for at the last Council meeting, is that we would have further votes at the next meeting that will take place in early June. We also have a second Commission proposal that is still on the table from last year.”
“They were not voted on at the time. There was a ceasefire even though we know that the ceasefire is not being held and that there are significant issues with it, not least the lack of humanitarian aid that is getting in, but also the fact that hundreds of people have been killed since it started. We have continued to advocate for sanctions at a European level since then as we are conscious of what continues to happen and what has been happening specifically in the West Bank where cities of literally hundreds of thousands of people have been displaced. It is not towns and villages. Hundreds of thousands of people have been displaced. Since taking up this role in recent months, I have advocated that these sanctions and the proposals by the Commission would be put back on the table.”
“I propose to take Questions Nos. 9, 35, 36, 44, 55 and 83. As was the case with my previous answer, there are quite a number of different things happening and I want to set things out clearly. From a European perspective and context, I will take the House back to last year. Prior to me coming into this Department and at a time when there was continuing escalating violence in Gaza and there was no end in sight, the Tánaiste, Deputy Harris, advocated for sanctions to be put on the table by the Commission that would suspend the EU-Israel association agreement, with a particular focus on the trade elements of it. We also advocated for sanctions against violent settlers in the West Bank because we have seen over time how violent settlers and the actions they are taking have increased significantly in recent years.”
“I encourage anyone who is listening and colleagues to let their constituents and those in their counties know that it is really important to apply on time, but we are obviously here to assist and support where that is not possible as well.”
“I am happy to follow up on that. I want to use my time to encourage people, particularly given the time of the year, to check their passports, look at the date and make sure that it is submitted in time. If they are travelling somewhere where they need more than six months, even if it is out by a day, it obviously causes difficulties, so the earlier they can check and apply for a passport, the better. While it has become a really efficient service, if someone is applying for a child for the first time, there are often difficulties and challenges with photos and making sure they can be followed up with An Garda Síochána or the person who signed it.”
“However, this is about making sure that our focus is on prioritising how we can do things more quickly and efficiently, and that there are efficiencies in terms of cost overall, but most importantly that everybody has access to the same type of service on an all-island basis. That is what I am determined and committed to do.”
“For example, if we put up an office, the operational costs for 100 staff or so is estimated to cost approximately €6.8 million per annum. That is potentially for the 469 customers who would be applying and availing of this appointment service in person, so we have to balance all of this out. We have an Oireachtas line, as I told the Deputy's colleague when I engaged with them this week. We have a line where Deputies and colleagues can deal directly with the service if there are queries that our constituents raise. I am happy to look at whether it or something similar could be made available to colleagues in the North and to see if we can have that direct line.”
“I appreciate the points the Deputy made but we have to balance things as well. We have a really efficient office at the moment where we know that so far this year 97% of citizens in the North are applying through the online system. When we look at the overall figures, if 1% is using the counter service, it amounts to 496 - just under 500 citizens - that are using the urgent appointment service and the in-person service. The argument that the Deputy makes is not around distance because if a person is in Galway and they have to travel to Dublin or Cork, they probably have a longer distance to travel than if they were in the North. However, we also have to look at what we are investing in terms of the overall costs. We have had many discussions on this floor around making sure that anything we invest in is sufficient.”
“We closed the office that we had in London for the reason that I have outlined: we are moving to a situation where the vast majority of people who apply do so online. Of course we still need to make sure that we offer a counter service for people and that is why the offices in Dublin and Cork will remain open. There are no plans to go beyond that at the moment.”
“In December, a new passport assist service launched to support citizens who do not wish to use passport online because we do have a cohort who still perhaps might find it difficult. They might not have somebody to support them or they might not have access to an online system. This is to assist them in making that paper passport application. Citizens can call the dedicated passport assist number as well to receive personalised paper forms along with a bespoke list of documents required that they post back to the passport service through their local post office. This is an all-island service that enhances the paper application route by offering direct assistance to citizens. There are no plans to open an office in the North.”
“Currently, 96% of all applicants use the passport online service. It is worth noting that just 1% of all passports issue through the public counters. This is a really good statistic because over the years we have been advocating that people apply online. A lot of money and investment has gone into the online system. It is actually quicker and easier to turn around and it is a much more efficient system for everybody no matter where they are applying from. Last year, 91% of citizens resident in Northern Ireland applied through passport online. I did not have the figure the other evening in committee but since then I have been informed that it has increased to 97% this year. In the first four months of this year, 97% of passport applications from citizens in Northern Ireland were through the online portal.”
“I thank those who attended the briefing yesterday. It was a good discussion and an opportunity to make sure that every Deputy is able to support their constituents, in particular where people need passports quickly for various reasons. I thank all of the team in the Passport Office. Every year the demand increases and there is huge pressure on the staff, so I thank them for the work that they do. Demand for passports from citizens in Northern Ireland has continued to increase and remain steady. To date in 2026, 12% of all passports that have been issued have been to residents of Northern Ireland. The passport online service offers citizens the ability to apply for passports online 24 hours a day, seven days a week. That applies to absolutely everybody, and it is available to 100% of applicants globally, not just on the island.”
“That is why we need to do everything we can over the next while, in the coming weeks, myself at the Trade Council this week and then in the coming weeks, to make sure that Europe moves. I am pleased to say that the statements and much of the actions we have seen across Europe and internationally have been to condemn these actions and to call for some form of accountability from Israel.”
“My Dutch colleague at the last meeting said that they were bringing forward legislation, and I have been engaging with them as to the timeline in order that when we do introduce this, we can have a stronger voice around this. If, however, they decide not to do this, we will still continue with ours. I am being very clear about that and very clear in what I say. The approach here has always been to make sure that everything we do has an impact. Yesterday, when I saw our citizens and other people with their hands tied behind their backs, I thought, if this is how they are treating Irish citizens and other people, how are they treating Palestinians, people we cannot see? I think we all think that and we can all imagine exactly what has been happening.”
“However, we cannot move on this on our own. Even with QMV, it is 55% of the Council or 65% of the overall population but that is manageable and something I believe we could achieve. Certainly, looking at the different kinds of comments we have seen in the past few weeks around the table, there are countries that are moving and countries that perhaps would have had a different position only a few weeks ago. As to where we are now and in terms of our own work, again, I cannot be any clearer in saying that as regards the work I am doing with European colleagues - say, my Dutch colleagues and others - they have made it very clear.”
“I cannot be any clearer in saying that what I am advocating for and what I have been advocating for is that there would be a full ban on trade with the illegal settlements. That is not a proposal that has been put on the table by the Commission before now. The proposal on the table is that we would suspend the trade element of the EU-Israel Association Agreement. That did not have full support last year but that is now what we are discussing and it is very much what we discussed last week at the Council. However, I want a further proposal on the table specific to the West Bank and to the illegal settlements because we very clearly set out that this is illegal occupation. It has been agreed by all of us; therefore, we need to follow through. This has not just come about because of this week; Ireland has been saying this consistently.”
“However, as Minister, I also want to make sure that our actions have a positive impact on the people on the ground and the best way I believe we can do that is by Europe taking a strong stance. I believe we are in a much better place in that regard than we were a couple of weeks ago and that is because I and other people in other countries have been working to build consensus. We are not sitting on our hands and saying nothing. We have been trying to get people to this point within Europe so that we will have a vote at the next meeting. I reiterated that point to High Representative Kaja Kallas again this morning and said that we need to have a vote at the next meeting because we have discussed it long enough. This week's actions show us exactly why we need this.”