Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 September 2024
54. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs further to his predecessor’s welcoming the passage of the Yazidi female survivors’ law in March 2021, if he has engaged with the Iraqi government in order to ensure that the legislation’s mandate is funded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36916/24]
View answer55. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on Ireland’s efforts to assist in locating the more than 2,000 women enslaved by ISIS who remain unaccounted for; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36917/24]
View answer56. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he intends to engage with the Dutch government regarding its programme for government commitment to establish an international tribunal to prosecute members of ISIS/Da’esh; if he intends for Ireland to support these efforts; the manner in which he would envisage such support; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36918/24]
View answer57. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the fact that members of the Yazidi community across the European Union must travel to Iraq in order to provide DNA samples to assist in the identification of their loved ones' remains once exhumed from mass graves; if he will engage with his European counterparts to develop an efficient mechanism that would allow them do so in their country of residence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36919/24]
View answer58. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the engagements he has had and the support Ireland has provided to the Iraqi and Kurdish regional government regarding the exhumation of mass graves and identification of remains therein; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36920/24]
View answer59. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if Ireland will support the establishment of an enhanced database of the evidence and testimony gathered by the United Nations Investigative Team to Promote Accountability for Crimes Committed by Da’esh/ISIL; the engagements he has had in support of such; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36921/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 54, 55, 56, 57, 58 and 59 together.
My Department last week hosted an event specifically to focus attention on the situation of, and issues relating to, the Yazidi community in Iraq, marking ten years since the beginning of the appalling attacks on the whole Yazidi people by the fanatics of Da'esh/ISIL. The seminar brought together representatives from the Government of Iraq, the Kurdistan Regional Government, the EU and a number of Member States, non governmental organisations and Yazidi advocacy groups and survivors in order to engage on the various topics that surround the situation of the Yazidi community. This event came at a opportune moment, giving those present an opportunity to refocus attention on and discuss the issues faced by the Yazidi community, given the ending this month of the UNITAD mandate. During the event many of the issues raised in your question were discussed, including cooperation with European Union Member States and also both the Iraqi and Regional Kurdish Governments. I also met with Yazidi representatives and discussed these issues with them.
While Ireland does not have a resident embassy in Iraq, my Department and the Irish Embassy in Amman, is liaising with our European Union partners and with the Iraqi government on how to continue the vital work previously undertaken by the UN missions present in Iraq. This includes the preservation of the evidence database collated by UNITAD, the continued search for those missing and further work on recovery and identification of the remains of those killed by ISIS. I am well aware of the various practical, technical and political challenges involved in such actions. My Department is examining the best way to ensure the accountability of those responsible for the atrocities, including the establishment of a mechanism for fair trials in line with the UN Charter, and the support of the Yazidi community in its quest for justice.
