Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

-----a complete about-turn from their position a number of months ago when they stated it was very important. The Government has consistently expressed its intention to file a declaration of intervention in this case. The Government previously confirmed to the House that its long-standing intention was to file this declaration after South Africa had filed its memorial. South Africa filed its memorial last week and the court's order gives Israel until 25 July 2025 to submit its counter-memorial. The Government has taken active steps to progress Ireland's declaration of intervention consistent with its aim of filing the declaration before the end of the year. Subject to the court's ruling on the admissibility of our intervention, Ireland will then make robust submissions to the court on the proper interpretation of the Genocide Convention.

The Government has consistently stated that both Israel and Hamas must be held accountable for violations of international humanitarian law committed. All parties to armed conflict, states and non-states alike, have duties under international law. I mentioned that the UN system and institutions of international law and accountability, which Ireland works hard to promote and support, are under unprecedented pressure. It is unacceptable, for example, for the foreign minister of Israel to declare the Secretary General of the UN to be persona non grata. What is even more egregious are the developments that have sadly taken place in recent weeks. Last week, the Israeli Parliament, the Knesset, took the decision to adopt two pieces of legislation, which, if implemented, will make it impossible for UNRWA to carry out its lifesaving work. UNRWA is a UN agency with a mandate from the UN General Assembly - a mandate from the nations of the world. It is the backbone of the humanitarian response in Gaza and the main provider of education, health and social services in Gaza and the West Bank. UNRWA's work is essential and irreplaceable for millions of Palestinian refugees in the region, particularly in the current context in Gaza. If implemented, this legislation will only deepen the unspeakable suffering of ordinary Palestinians in desperate need of lifesaving help. The Government has strongly condemned this move. It amounts to collective punishment and could have generational repercussions for the hundreds of thousands of Palestinians affected by it.

Ireland has spoken up loudly and decisively in defence of UNRWA. When Israel issued claims earlier this year alleging that a number of UNRWA employees are members of terrorist organisations, allegations for which an independent report has since found no supportive evidence was provided, several countries halted their funding to the organisation, which put it at existential risk. Ireland instead contributed an extra €20 million. In fact, Ireland has provided €38 million in core support to UNRWA during 2023 and 2024. This supports UNRWA's programmes in Gaza and the West Bank, including east Jerusalem, as well as in Jordan, Syria and Lebanon. We are following up on this support now, with the agency again facing existential peril. Ireland, Norway, Slovenia and Spain issued a joint statement on 29 October condemning the approval of the legislation and committing to continuing to work with donor and host countries to ensure the viability of UNRWA's work and its humanitarian role.

As the Government has previously set out, there are no military exports from Ireland to Israel. The Tánaiste clearly explained earlier the regulation of dual-use licences in Ireland, which is carried out fully in line with our international obligations, including the EU's dual-use regulation and common position. The Government has on numerous occasions outlined the policies and procedures which pertain to overflights of sovereign airspace. On sanctions, the House is aware that Ireland does not impose unilateral domestic sanctions. At EU level, we have adopted successive rounds of sanctions against violent Israeli settlers and support the fact that further sanctions are under consideration.

We are under no illusions as to the scale of the challenges still ahead. Much more remains to be done. Too many generations of Palestinians have seen and experienced too much suffering. Advocating for their right to self-determination, freedom and peace will remain a central focus of the Government. Everyone in the Middle East deserves peace. Continuing the status quo is not an option. That way only extremism, radicalisation and violence will lie. This House, I have no doubt, is absolutely united in its conviction that the ongoing horror must be brought to an immediate end and for a peaceful, sustained solution to this conflict to be realised. In that spirit, the Government will not oppose today's motion. I already outlined the reasons we cannot support it. I am convinced, however, that this House will continue to ensure that Ireland remains the proud, fearless voice for peace we have always been. The Government will continue to use all the tools at its disposal to do so.

See this speech in context