Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 April 2025
236. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade considering that a disproportionate number of children have been injured and killed in Gaza due to airstrikes, the specific measures the Government is pursuing to protect injured children and ensure their access to medical care, and push for an immediate halt to actions that result in mass child casualties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15412/25]
View answerAt the United Nations General Assembly in September 2024, I attended and opened an event hosted by Save the Children in my capacity as Taoiseach. The event was addressed by a number of children from Gaza, who shared shocking and heart-breaking stories of the situation on the ground.
I can assure the Deputy that the plight of children in Gaza and across Palestine remains a key priority for me and for my Department, including in light of the resumed Israeli airstrikes and ground operation, which have brought fresh suffering to the people of Gaza and have breached the ceasefire.
The immediate focus of the international community must be on bringing hostilities to an immediate end and for all parties to return to talks aimed at implementing the second phase of the ceasefire and hostage release deal, including the release of remaining hostages and the resumption of much-needed humanitarian aid to Gaza.
A further pillar of the Government’s response is our support to the immediate humanitarian needs of the Palestinian people, as well as working with the Palestinian Authority to support its efforts to reform and build its institutional capacity. Ireland has provided over €84 million in support of the Palestinian people since the beginning of 2023, including €58 million in core support to UNRWA. €72 million of this total support has been provided since October 2023. The most efficient way to support the people of Gaza has been through UNRWA which has been the backbone of the humanitarian response.
With our core funding of €20 million for 2025, UNRWA continues to deliver assistance in accordance with its mandate, including psychological support to over 300,000 children, as well as other health and education interventions. We have also been providing humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza through other agencies including the World Food Programme and the Red Cross. In addition, we have supplied over 116 tonnes of relief goods through our Rapid Response Initiative.
Our response also includes practical supports and solutions. Government approval was secured in 2024 for Ireland to evacuate up to 30 sick children from Gaza for treatment and care. December saw the arrival of 8 children, and their family members, for treatment in Ireland having been evacuated via Egypt, under the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. The Department of Health and the HSE continue to engage with the World Health Organisation and EU to provide for further missions.
Compliance with international law is also central to Ireland’s approach at EU and international level. Ireland has both bilaterally and at multilateral level, repeatedly called on Israel to comply with international law, stressing the universal applicability of international law, including international humanitarian law. All parties must respect international humanitarian law at all times. Hospitals and health facilities, medical and humanitarian personnel, must be protected.
On 6 January, Ireland filed a Declaration of Intervention at the International Court of Justice in South Africa’s case against Israel under the Genocide Convention. A Declaration of Intervention was also filed in The Gambia’s case against Myanmar on 20 December 2024. The purpose of both interventions is for Ireland to set out the factors it considers relevant in assessing whether a State has properly fulfilled its obligations under the Convention. The situation of children and young adults was a key focus of both interventions.
