Simon Harris
Wicklow · Fine Gael · Ireland
“There are more than 10,000 routes and thousands of buses involved and the number of students using the services is not a million miles away from 200,000. The current terms of the scheme are going to continue to apply for the 2026-27 school year.”
“I thank Deputy McDonald for raising what is genuinely an important issue. I do take the point that when we talk about this in the abstract or from a process point of view in here, that for people watching this is their real lived experience.”
“There number of children who have been supported by means of the school transport scheme, as Deputy Fitzmaurice knows and has alluded to, has grown significantly in recent years. Since 2018, the number increased from 120,000 in 2018 to more than 181,000 now. Included in that figure are 24,000 pupils with special educational needs.”
“I knew the Deputy would have to mention the GAA, especially with Galway and Limerick playing at the weekend. I wish everybody involved the best of luck. We are very committed to the school transport scheme. If the Deputy wants to see our commitment, he should look to our budget.”
“An ageing population, increasing healthcare needs, the transition to net zero and the need for continued investment in housing, energy and infrastructure will place a significant demand on public resources.”
“There is also a legitimacy to the point the Deputy made about how it is a legitimate form of transport for some people. We see this working in other European countries. We see it in our nearest neighbours. I do not want to get the regime wrong, but I think they have registration at the point of purchase that allows people to track this.”
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“We will shortly bring our action plan on market diversification to Cabinet. That is a joint initiative between my Department and the Department of enterprise. Of course, as part of that, we will have to look at how we can help Irish companies looking to export to new markets too. The priority at the moment is to try to minimise the impact of tariffs, however. We have published our economic impact assessment through the Department of Finance. In my letter to Maroš Šefčovič on reciprocal tariffs, I specifically referenced agrifood, aviation, med tech and pharma as key areas of concern from an Irish perspective. On pharma specifically, the US section 232 national security investigation into the import of pharmaceuticals, semi-conductors and commercial aircraft and jet engines is ongoing.”
“The relationship is interdependent. We have global supply chains and patients. We need to work together with the EU and the US. A huge focus of our attention, both as a country and a European Union, will be on the pharma sector. I will come back with further detail on that.”
“The EU's and Ireland's objective has always been to find a fair, balanced, mutually beneficial negotiated solution. The intention has been to limit the impact of the existing 10% baseline tariff but also to avoid additional tariffs being introduced. We want to reach an agreement in principle that provides certainty and then allows for more work to be done on zero for zero in as many sectors as possible. As the Deputy knows, we are doing a lot of this work through the Government Trade Forum, which is attended by senior Ministers and business representatives. Last Wednesday, I chaired the sixth meeting of the forum, which focused on protecting Irish jobs and our economy. I will talk about pharma specifically because the Deputy asked about it. This is an area where there is uncertainty at the moment. The European position is very clear.”
“The extension of the deadline for the end of the US pause on higher tariffs from this Wednesday, 9 July until Friday, 1 August allows for further time for negotiations to continue, which is welcome. It would be much better to have an agreement, or at least a framework agreement, but it is welcome. It gives an indication that even President Trump realises he needs a deal with the European Union too. He cannot just ignore €4.5 billion worth of trade across the Atlantic Ocean in both directions each and every day. The European Commission is working towards reaching an agreement as soon as possible in advance of that deadline. We should not wait until 1 August. I hope to have conversations with the EU trade Commissioner in the coming hours.”
“I thank the Deputy Ó very much for raising this because he is right that the EU-US negotiations are now at a critical juncture. Our position, I think across party lines, has been clear as a country. Tariffs threaten the hugely successful EU-US and Ireland-US economic relationship. They are bad for businesses, consumers and workers, and they are bad on both sides of the Atlantic. Since April, many Irish exports to the US have been subject to an additional 10% tariff - that is in place today - and the imposition of these tariffs has had a negative impact on all types of businesses from multinational companies to small and medium enterprises and microenterprises.”
“We cannot just tear up the rule book when it comes to migration. There do have to be rules in place. Of course we will work with people but the rules apply in relation to visas. Ireland is not just tearing up its migration system or its rules in this regard.”
“Those are two distinct issues. For medical evacuations, we are not saying it is one plus one. There has not been a one plus one scenario. Twelve children have arrived. In a one plus one scenario, that would mean the arrival of 24 people. More than 40 people have arrived so far through that programme. I do not want to be too argumentative on a sensitive issue but there must be rules and checks. The reality is that if there are children from far-flung parts of the world travelling to this country with adults, some of whom are not their parents, there need to be legitimate checks in respect of child protection. I do not think any immigration system in the world would grant visas without satisfying itself in respect of visa applications for minors. There are issues around birth certificates and consent letters. These are important things.”
“Officials have been in touch with our people in the region. I have spoken to the Ministers for Health and justice. The Taoiseach and I discussed the issue on Monday night. We are fully committed to the medical evacuation programme. On the issue of visas, we absolutely do grant visit visas but each visa application must be decided on its own merits. When children are being brought here, we must comply with child protection laws. There is ongoing engagement in that regard and the appeal process is open to anybody.”
“There are a couple of things there. These are all important issues. On the medical evacuation of children from Gaza, we are fully committed. Genuinely and truthfully, there is an absolute commitment. We have committed to four groups of children. Two have come already and two more are due. The original ask, for the want of a better phrase, was one child accompanied by one parent or guardian. In practice, that does not always work. Going from memory, we have seen 12 children coming in but a total of 45 people in the round. We have gone beyond, if you like, one plus one for good humanitarian reasons. The Ministers for Health and justice have indicated that they just want absolute clarity. It will not cause a delay. I have been assured of that, and have spoken to my Department in this regard.”
“Ireland has repeatedly, both bilaterally and at a multilateral level, called on Israel to comply with international law, stressing the universal applicability of international law.”
“Ireland has consistently condemned the ongoing activities of Israel in Gaza. The current volume and pace of aid delivered into Gaza under Israel's so-called partial lifting of the blockade remains extraordinarily insufficient to meet the needs of Gaza's entire population. As Deputy Ó Laoghaire reminded us, we have seen people killed while queuing for aid. I share the concerns of the United Nations and other credible international actors that the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation is not operating in accordance with any humanitarian principles or law. I welcome the fact that ceasefire talks are under way. I had the opportunity to speak to the Qatari Prime Minister and foreign minister in Dublin last week. I commend the role of mediators and their efforts to secure progress.”
“To even fathom for a moment that it is an intelligent thing to do at a time of huge global instability is pathetic politics. That is my strong and clear view in that regard. On the Middle East, I absolutely believe what is happening to the people of Gaza is a genocide, as do the Taoiseach and the Irish Government. We have been clear in that regard. Of course, the Middle East, as a region, is experiencing major instability with multiple crises and conflicts, many of which are interrelated. The situation in Gaza is appalling and deteriorating. Those words do not capture the situation. That was an understatement. The same is true of the situation in the West Bank. These remain a central focus of my engagement and that of the Minister of State, Deputy Thomas Byrne, with the EU and other international counterparts.”
“Today's censure motion in the European Parliament is a stunt by the far right and people that the President of the European Commission has referred to as "Putin's puppets". They are seeking to divide Europe at this time. I am disappointed to see the far left lining up with the far right on this issue. The censure motion, by the way, has nothing whatsoever to do with Gaza. As the Deputy knows, it relates to a different issue around a ruling relating to text messages. The impact of the censure motion would be that Maroš Šefčovič, the EU Trade Commissioner, to whom I hope to talk later today, would be out of a job. Our very excellent Commissioner from Ireland, Michael McGrath from Cork, would be out of a job. The entire European Commission would be out on its ear.”
“I agree with the Deputy on the last point. Any attacks or sanctions on UN representatives are attacks not just on them but on multilateralism. Ireland remains a steadfast supporter of the work of the United Nations and the special rapporteur. It is a deeply concerning development. On the issue of visas, the Deputy is right that it is a competency of my colleague, the Minister for justice. I am, however, ad idem with him on this, as is the Government. Every system must have rules. The awarding of visas must be done in accordance with strict criteria, including issues around ensuring child protection documentation and the likes, for very good reasons. I do not overly want to comment on individual applications other than to say that appeals processes are available to anyone. I am sure many will consider that.”
“The Deputy is right in saying the humanitarian aid is beyond urgent and the release of the hostages is beyond urgent too. I believe some progress is being made in the ceasefire talks. I met the Qatari Prime Minister on this last week. However, those talks need to deliver a resolution. In relation to the European position, Kaja Kallas and the likes, of course the European Union has significantly increased its contribution to UNRWA at a time when other parts of the world have walked away.”
“There are a couple of things there. First, the Deputy is right; quite a few like-minded countries may well consider looking at what we have done here and introducing their own domestic legislation. What I was trying to say in response to the last question is that we are in contact with quite a number of European countries that are inquiring as to our legislation, and I hope others will join us in publishing their own domestic legislation. We would all rather act at an EU level, although we know that has not made the progress we collectively would want it to make. In the meantime, member states can consider what domestic remedies are available to them through their own legislation. It is a narrow path, but we believe the ICJ advisory opinion provides a path as well. The big priority right now has to be a ceasefire.”
“Ireland is a steadfast supporter of the International Criminal Court - I want to say that because this is a court coming under incredible attack - as well as being a supporter of the principles and values enshrined in the Rome Statute. My overarching priority, and the overarching priority of the Government, is to contribute to a co-ordinated and consolidated effort by the international community as a whole to support a return to a ceasefire, a hostage release agreement and a surge of humanitarian access into Gaza. This all makes it possible to safeguard the two-state solution and to work towards the return of the Palestinian Authority to Gaza in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 2735 and to uphold the equal right to self-determination, peace, security and dignity for Israelis and Palestinians alike.”
“Ireland will be represented at an official level from our embassy at the meeting in Bogotá next week, on 15 and 16 July. At the EU level, the situation in Israel and Palestine remains a standing item on the Foreign Affairs Council each month. The next meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council will also take place on 15 July, where this will be discussed again. Ireland has been centrally involved in the work of the Global Alliance for the Implementation of the Two-State Solution, which was founded at UN high-level week last year and has met several times since then. Across all of our bilateral and multilateral engagement, Ireland has consistently underlined the need for all parties to comply with international law, including international humanitarian law.”
“The very short answer is that we will. Both I and my officials interact with a wide variety of international partners on the Middle East. This remains a major priority for the Government and, I know, for the people of Ireland, who are rightly repulsed by what they see happening, particularly in Gaza but also in the West Bank. Ireland’s engagement is guided by our long-standing and principled position, notably respect for international law, respect for the equal right to self-determination, peace, security and dignity for Palestinians and Israelis alike, and unwavering support for the two-state solution. While Ireland is not a member of the group referred to by the Deputy, as he knows, the Government is committed to working with all partners around the world in service of these objectives.”
“It does not change our position. We have a vastly different view from the United States of America and particularly the current Administration in relation to the ICJ and the genocide in Gaza. All of that is true. We are progressing with this legislation. However, the question was clearly asking me whether my Department had had engagement with or diplomatic representation with US counterparts around the exclusion of services. The answer is "No", not specifically around the exclusion of services. As for whether it had engagement on the previous Bill, if I can call it that, the 2018 Bill, it did, and it will have engagement with the current Bill. That is the case not just with the United States but also with many European countries in the hope that it might inspire them to legislate too.”
“First, I appreciate the Deputy's acknowledgement that Ireland is the first country that is doing it. That, in and of itself, is interesting, in that there is not another country in the European Union that has published any draft legislation on that. Now, weeks on from when we published our legislation, with goods or services, they have not produced any legislation. That is interesting in and of itself. However, the Government has an obligation to our citizens to tease through the consequences of all legislation. That does not mean the Government or the Oireachtas changes its mind, but we are meant to vote on matters with our eyes wide open. We are meant to be aware of how our legislation will be viewed and the legality of it. That is an important part of the work of my Department in engaging with interlocutors abroad.”
“That is an appropriate thing to do. We are very clear that this is not a Bill that boycotts Israel. It is a Bill that prohibits trade with illegally occupied territories in line with the International Court of Justice, ICJ, advisory opinion, and it is very appropriate and important that our embassy network make that point. Our embassy team in the United States would of course interlock with its counterparts there. That is appropriate and it should continue to do that.”
“I very much appreciate the context. Let me be very clear: the Government intends to progress with this legislation. I also have an open mind about services. Both of those situations remain factually true and very clear in my mind, and clear in the view of the Government. However, as an Oireachtas we want to pass legislation fully informed, with our eyes wide open. That is why it is really important, and it is not for me to interfere, that the Oireachtas committee is going to hear from people with different perspectives and different views. That is an important thing to do. Of course my Department has a responsibility for representing Ireland externally. Of course we are going to continue to engage, explain our position and also be aware of the compatibility of our law and how it is viewed in other people's countries.”
“However, that will have no effect or impact on decisions we make in proceeding with legislation that we feel strongly on.”
“I have not had engagement with anybody recently on the new Bill but given the significant level of public interest in it, several international partners, including the United States and a number of European and like-minded countries, have expressed an interest in the Bill and the Government’s approach more generally. My officials have engaged with them on the matter, including briefing them on the Government’s position. I will get a chance to come back in a moment but it is a known statement of fact that the previous US ambassador, for example, wrote to me, as Taoiseach at the time, expressing a view in relation to the Bill. Ireland takes every opportunity internationally to outline our position including engaging with interlocutors.”
“Such engagement routinely includes exchanges on issues relevant to the bilateral relationship between Ireland and the country concerned. The new Israeli settlements Bill has not been the subject of my recent political engagements with US interlocutors.”
“The Bill, if enacted, will deliver on a commitment in the programme for Government to progress legislation in this area following the ICJ advisory opinion. With regard to services, the heads of Bill, or the general scheme, do not prohibit trade in services with natural or legal persons located in Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory. As I have said, I remain open-minded on that. Legal clarity is now needed - and I know the committee has been teasing through this - on whether it is possible to include services. I have asked the Attorney General to advise on this. Engagement with third-country counterparts is a central part of my work and that of my officials in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.”
“I thank Deputy Gibney for the question. As she will be aware, the Government carried out an extensive analysis and review of the occupied territories Bill 2018, as it was then, late last year. The Government’s analysis, shared with the Oireachtas at the time, was that substantive amendments would be required to most, if not all, of the provisions of that Bill in order to bring it in line with our Constitution and to try to ensure it could withstand an EU challenge, should that arise, and be compatible with EU law. On 24 June, the Government approved the general scheme of the Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory (prohibition of importation of goods) Bill 2025. The general scheme has now been referred to the Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade for pre-legislative scrutiny, which I think began last week.”
“The reality is that there are many countries and entities, including the European Union, ready to play a part in mediation and in trying to find a way forward but at the moment, being quite frank, interest in that seems to have halted. We have to look at what we can do to maximise the pressure to get both parties back to a negotiating table.”
“I am not certain whether we have raised them directly, or not with those individual countries, but we have certainly raised them through the European Union. I would point out that we now have an EU special representative for the area, Dr. Annette Weber, who is doing very excellent work. We raised Sudan at the most recent meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council. The Minister of State, Deputy Byrne, will represent Ireland at the next meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council where we will seek to raise this again. We are part of a core group of like-minded EU member states. The most recent meeting of that like-minded EU member state group took place on 23 June to discuss how the EU can take a more collective approach to Sudan, so perhaps this is something we can return to after the next series of engagements we have.”
“The Taoiseach will continue to raise this at the European Council. I will continue to raise it at the Foreign Affairs Council and the Minister of State, Deputy Byrne, at the GAC. On USAID, I do not have a specific note with regard to Sudan but there is no doubt in my mind that the USAID cuts are going to have desperate effects everywhere. I do not believe Sudan will be spared the impact.”
“The first thing to say is that we will at least match the level of humanitarian aid to Sudan this year that we provided last year. We have already provided €7.7 million this year. We provided €14 million last year and we will at least match the €14 million this year. That is an additional commitment from the Government to do more with regard to help for the most appalling humanitarian situation. We have also, through my own Department, provided financial support to Irish journalists to travel to Chad and report on the desperate situation in the refugee camps. A view we would all share is that there has not been visibility with regard to this humanitarian crisis in the same way as there rightly has been with regard to others. It is important that we continue to keep visibility on this situation too.”
“We continue to respond to the crisis in close co-ordination with our EU and international partners. At the April Foreign Affairs Council, Ireland raised the urgent need for increased and flexible humanitarian funding and for sustained pressure in support of a cessation of hostilities and a return to negotiations. We have provided €14 million in humanitarian assistance for Sudan and neighbouring countries in 2024. So far this year, we have already provided €7.7 million to the Sudan humanitarian fund and direct funding to NGOs operating in Sudan. We will continue to engage through all diplomatic channels to keep Sudan on the international agenda and to support mediation efforts aimed at ending the conflict in the near future.”
“Recent attacks on Port Sudan and the UN convoy in North Darfur marked a significant escalation in hostilities. The RSF has now gained control of large parts of north Sudan along the Egyptian and Libyan borders. External actors are also providing military support to the parties and peace negotiations have, for all intents and purposes, effectively halted. Ireland has supported very strong EU messaging on Sudan and we have initiated discussions on sanctions in 2023, which led to the establishment of the EU sanctions regime. Ireland initiated EU Council conclusions on Sudan in 2024, which condemned both the indiscriminate and direct targeting of civilians, called on parties to oblige by their obligations under international law and called for an immediate ceasefire and sustainable resolution of the conflict through dialogue.”
“I thank Deputy Ó Laoghaire for again raising this issue which, as he said, he rightly raised at the Oireachtas committee in recent weeks. The Government remains deeply concerned by the conflict and the real humanitarian crisis in Sudan. Since April 2023, the situation has continued to deteriorate and the consequences are now clearly devastating. It is estimated that over 14 million people have fled their homes and almost 25 million people are in acute food insecurity, with some facing famine. The two main parties to the conflict, the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces, are fighting on multiple fronts. Both are now responsible for large-scale attacks on civilians described by the United Nations as amounting to war crimes and crimes against humanity.”
“I thank the Members of the House for the continued focus we keep on issues in the Middle East. I look forward to working with Members to pass our occupied Palestinian territories Bill. I ask that we continue to work with all our contacts through our political groupings at a European level to seek to maximise the leverage that Europe can bring about in terms of playing a positive role in ending the violence, killings and genocide in Gaza and that we stand ready as a country to do all we can to help the people of Palestine create the state they desperately deserve and have every right to in order to enable Palestine and Israel to live safely and securely side-by-side.”
“Today I met the president of the International Criminal Court, ICC. It is an international court that is under active attack. In this House, we must speak up and speak out for the work of the ICC. We are continuing to provide financial assistance, but the world needs international courts now more than ever. The sanctions the US has put in place against individual judges and the arrest warrants that Russia has put in place are deeply regrettable and seek to undermine the work of the ICC. I want to be very clear on the record of the House that the Government of Ireland and Ireland stands firmly in support of the ICC. I intend to raise this matter with European counterparts in terms of how we can do more to support an international court system that is clearly being threatened by efforts to undermine its work.”
“While the situation remains extremely volatile, I very much hope we have now reached a point where the killing can stop and both sides can negotiate a meaningful and lasting ceasefire. In my conversation with the Prime Minister of Qatar today, it was clear that there is some cautious optimism that a ceasefire may now be possible and we must seize this window of opportunity. We have to do so if there is a window of opportunity for the cessation of violence, an end to the genocidal activity, the release of hostages and a surge in unimpeded humanitarian aid. In the hours and days ahead, there will be a renewed effort to bring about that. I thank my Qatari counterpart for the engagement and update today and wish that process and talks well. I thank Qatar and others in the region who are playing an important role in that regard.”
“We enjoy good relations with Middle Eastern partners and many Irish people have gone to live and work there, notably in the Gulf. We operate joint economic committees with Saudi Arabia and agreed this year to the establishment of that process for the United Arab Emirates. Large numbers of students from the region study in Ireland, many of them on scholarships from their governments. There are regular political visits in both directions. Earlier today, I met the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Qatar, who yesterday collected on behalf of the Emir the Tipperary Peace Prize, recognising Qatar's long role as a mediator. It was a welcome engagement as Qatar is one of the lead negotiators behind the potential 60-day ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.”
“The new Government is trying to do that in the context where many of the armed groups that emerged during the war are still in existence, including remnants of the former regime and violent fanatics. Ireland supported the EU's speedy removal of most economic sanctions on Syria and we wish to work positively with the new Syrian authorities to give them every chance to succeed because the people of Syria deserve that chance. Finally, although recent events have commanded our attention, it is important that this is not the sum of Ireland's engagement with the Middle East. Much of it is more positive. Our Government adopted a strategy for Ireland's engagement across the Middle East and North Africa in October 2024, focusing our developments on bilateral links, economic relations and people-to-people contacts.”
“In my meeting with my Lebanese counterparts, they impressed on me the important role of UNIFIL in supporting the Lebanese armed forces, but also in implementing the ceasefire agreement. Discussions are now ongoing at the UN about the renewal of the UNIFIL mandate. Ireland will use its voice to support an outcome that supports the Government and people of Lebanon and ensures the safety of our peacekeepers. Syria has tentatively emerged from a terrible civil war and brutal regime. Its new Government faces many questions and challenges, but broadly speaking we can say it is trying to construct a new Syria, a Syria that must be more open and inclusive, in which the human rights of all Syrians, regardless of their faith or ethnicity, are upheld and the rights of Syrian women are protected.”
“The weakening of Hezbollah may make it possible for Lebanon to gain full control of its territory, including in the south. This is crucial for the long-term security of Lebanon, Israel and the region. I urge all involved to work towards this and to refrain from actions that undermine this, including continuing actions by Hezbollah and Israel. I hope also that it will become possible for Israel to withdraw its remaining presence from Lebanon and for displaced communities to return to their homes in security on both sides of the border. UNIFIL has been central to our commitment to Lebanon, and we strongly believe that the force plays a valuable role. I was able to see at first hand the important contribution of the men and women of the Defence Forces serving in UNIFIL when I visited Lebanon in March.”
“It must turn away from seeking its own security through the intimidation and destabilisation of its neighbours and the threat of a nuclear weapon. If it does so, I believe it will find a ready response regionally and internationally. Above all, we need to see a reassertion of international law and the peaceful resolution of disputes between states. Attacks on nuclear facilities are deeply concerning and extraordinarily dangerous and should always be avoided. In the time available, I would like to mention two further issues, namely, Lebanon and Syria. Our connection and commitment to Lebanon remains strong. Lebanon faces many serious difficulties, but it has made much progress in the last year in electing a new president and government.”
“There are some indications that the US and Iran may return to talks. The EU can make a positive contribution through the work of the High Representative and France, Germany and the UK. It is important that we keep all channels open to Iran and encourage a return to diplomacy. It is important for Iran to maintain co-operation with the IAEA, and I greatly regret its decision today to move further away from that. The IAEA has an extraordinarily important role to play. I said earlier that only a diplomatic solution can properly resolve this issue, and this is even clearer after military action has taken place. I believe a diplomatic solution is not only necessary, but is entirely possible. The possibility for a peaceful solution rests largely with the choices Iran now makes.”
“Regrettably, that agreement was undermined before it was able to achieve its full objectives. As we know, there were nuclear talks between Iran and the US, which were still ongoing when Israel decided to attack Iran. We were not privy to those talks or to the positions either side was advancing. Perhaps they could have succeeded, perhaps not, but the idea that there were talks going on that were then disrupted and ultimately ended by Israel’s attack on Iran was extraordinarily escalatory and unhelpful. We must recall that the JCPOA was achieved by international sanctions after many years when progress was not achieved at all. It is my hope that the ceasefire now in place will continue to hold. The effect of military action may have been to set back Iran’s programme. I urge all involved to now return to diplomacy.”
“Many states in Europe have experienced security issues with Iran’s activity on their territory and with Iran’s long sustaining of the brutal Assad regime and its supply of weapons to Russia for use in its illegal war in Ukraine. A great many states were alarmed at Iran’s apparent efforts to, at the very least, put itself in a position where it could acquire nuclear weapons. Ireland shares these concerns about Iranian policies more generally and its nuclear programme in particular. Put simply, there are aspects of the Iranian nuclear programme that are inexplicable in terms of civilian nuclear power. However, we believe strongly in negotiation to resolve these issues. This had succeeded in the 2015 JCPOA agreement with Iran, which offered an agreed path to addressing Iran’s nuclear programme.”
“In view of the security situation, I took the decision to temporarily relocate diplomatic personnel from our embassy in Tehran. The embassy to Iran is now based temporarily in the Department of foreign affairs here in Dublin. I very much welcomed the ceasefire agreed last week. It is fragile but seems to be holding. We remain clear that only a negotiated diplomatic solution can properly resolve the many concerns around Iran’s nuclear programme. However, we must also recognise reality. Iran’s threats against Israel are unacceptable. So is its support for militant armed groups around the region, such as Hezbollah and the Houthis.”
“I discussed the situation with my EU colleagues at an emergency virtual Foreign Affairs Council on 17 June and attended in person a meeting of the regular Foreign Affairs Council on 23 June. I had bilateral calls with my counterparts in Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE. I also spoke with the deputy foreign minister of Iran, where I made the same points. Our missions in Tel Aviv, Ramallah and Tehran were in close contact with Irish citizens to offer consular support and assistance in difficult circumstances where airspace was closed. My Department assisted 24 Irish citizens and dependants to leave Israel and Iran by overland routes. Our teams in the region stayed in close contact with those who remained in place and continue to provide support and assistance.”
“This was a highly dangerous situation, in which two major powers in the region directly attacked each other, in which nuclear facilities were directly attacked, as well as cities and infrastructure, and in which there was a great risk of other states in the region being drawn in. Our most urgent focus in Ireland and the wider EU was in seeking de-escalation and a step back from the brink, urging a return to dialogue and diplomacy to solve these issues, and also in trying to assist our own personnel and citizens caught up in the situation. I want to thank our diplomats in the region and other EU states that helped us in assisting our citizens at that time.”
“Last week, I joined nine other EU foreign ministers in asking the High Representative to call for the EU to undertake a detailed review of its own compliance with the advisory opinion of the ICJ. I am pleased that this review will now be taken forward and that the High Representative will seek legal advice. The European Union must make sure it is in compliance with the International Court of Justice. I will follow this closely and will call for concrete proposals for action for member states to discuss. Much attention and activity in recent weeks has been expended on the conflict between Iran and Israel.”