Middle East

Thursday, 7 November 2024

Questions (3)

Catherine Connolly

Question:

3. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs with reference to his account to Dáil Éireann on 10 October 2024 concerning reports of illegal transportation of weapons through Irish airspace and his confirmation that the Department of Transport is carrying out an examination to determine whether there may have been a breach of the applicable law, if he agrees that the current situation is extremely urgent in view of sustained Israeli bombing of the civilian population in Gaza, resulting in over 42,000 Palestinians killed and expansion of Israeli aggression against the population of neighbouring Lebanon with a resultant death-toll approaching 3,000; if he is aware of the recent statement the U.N. Human Rights chief that the darkest moment of the conflict in Gaza is unfolding in the north of the territory and that Israel's actions could amount to atrocity crimes; how much longer we must wait for an assurance that Ireland is not complicit in the supply of the means to carry out these acts of genocide; if he will immediately share the results of the examination, or provide a date by which we will receive it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45656/24]

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Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs

The continuation of Israeli airstrikes in Gaza, the West Bank and Lebanon is unacceptable. Reports of dozens of deaths in the past week alone are a brutal reminder of the ongoing death and destruction that the people of Gaza are enduring. I am especially concerned about reports of further attacks on hospitals and medical facilities, which are particularly egregious with devastating consequences for the most vulnerable. Ireland has consistently called for an immediate ceasefire, release of hostages and a massive scale-up of humanitarian aid into Gaza. Ireland is also working with international partners to step up our efforts to implement the two-State solution. I am convinced that the implementation of the two-State solution is the only way to establish lasting peace and security in the region.

In recent weeks there have been allegations made that munitions of war have been included in the cargo of flights flying through Irish sovereign airspace. These allegations name several different air operators. The Minister for Transport has confirmed that his Department is engaging with those air operators and working to identify the nature of the cargo concerned. This work is ongoing and will seek to ensure that any action taken is on the basis of established facts. I underline that it is expressly prohibited for civil aircraft to carry munitions of war in Irish sovereign airspace, without being granted an exemption to do so by the Minister for Transport. The system of exemptions is operated by the Department of Transport under the Air Navigation (Carriage of Munitions of War, Weapons and Dangerous Goods) Orders 1973 and 1989. Questions relating to the timeframe and nature of the examination of these allegations should be directed to the Department of Transport for response.