Written Answers Nos. 134-141
134. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he or his Department has had any contact from the US administration or the White House regarding the Control of Economic Activity (Occupied Territories) Bill 2018; if so, the nature of those contacts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15085/25]
View answerEngagement with third-country counterparts is a central part of my work and that of my officials in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Such engagement routinely includes exchanges on issues relevant to the bilateral relationship between Ireland and the country concerned.
This issue has not been the subject of any recent engagement with my political counterparts in the US. Given the significant level of public interest in the Control of Economic Activity (Occupied Territories) Bill 2018 over recent months, several partners, including the United States, have expressed an interest in the Bill and the Government’s approach. My officials have engaged with them on the matter, including briefing them on the Government’s position.
Consistent with the position of the European Union, Ireland has been clear in underlining that policies and measures that distinguish between the State of Israel and Israeli settlements, which are illegal under international law, do not constitute a boycott of the State of Israel.
As the Deputy is aware, the Programme for Government sets out a commitment to progress legislation prohibiting goods from the occupied Palestinian territory. This work is being progressed with due regard to a number of factors, including the need to ensure that any legislation is in line with the Constitution and to reduce the risk of EU infringement procedures.
137. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the merits of a referendum on Irish neutrality; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15460/25]
View answerIreland’s policy of military neutrality means that Ireland does not participate in military alliances or common or mutual defence arrangements.
As I have said in this House on previous occasions, the Government has no plans to alter our long-standing policy of military neutrality, join a military alliance or enter into a mutual defence arrangement. As such, a referendum on Ireland’s neutrality is not necessary or appropriate.
However, it is clear that our policy of military neutrality does not insulate us from the impacts of the rapidly changing and volatile international security environment that has become the new reality across Europe. Against this backdrop, we recognise the need to take our security and our responsibility towards our like-minded partners, more seriously than ever.
The Constitution already establishes the framework within which Ireland conducts its international relations. Article 29.1 provides that "Ireland affirms its devotion to the ideal of peace and friendly co-operation amongst nations founded on international justice and morality."
Article 29.4.9 sets out that the State “shall not adopt a decision taken by the European Council to establish a common defence pursuant to Article 42 of the Treaty on European Union where that common defence would include the State”.
In the context of an increasingly challenging international security environment, the Government’s view is that a referendum enshrining Ireland’s neutrality in the Constitution would significantly constrain the Executive’s ability to exercise its policy-making authority in respect of the conduct of external relations, as outlined in Article 29 of the Constitution.
Accordingly, the Government has no plans to bring forward legislation to hold a constitutional referendum on neutrality.
139. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report his attendance at the UK-Ireland Summit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15457/25]
View answer162. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on his Department’s engagements with the British government on trade, migration legacy and other relevant issues of shared interest; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15547/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 139 and 162 together.
There has been positive and substantive engagement with the British government in recent months, in particular in the context of the first UK-Ireland Summit in Liverpool on 6 March. I was pleased to attend the Summit alongside the Taoiseach, with Ministers McEntee, O’Brien and O’Callaghan.
The Summit was the realisation of an ambition that I, as the then Taoiseach, set in train with Prime Minister Keir Starmer last year, to renew and rebuild the Irish British relationship. We were clear then on the importance of realising the full potential of our relationship, and maximising opportunities for people right across these islands.
At the Summit, we had positive and constructive discussions on a range of issues of mutual common concern - supporting sustainable growth; addressing shared foreign and security policy issues, and supporting our climate related ambitions. I am pleased that we also agreed at the Summit on an ambitious programme of practical cooperation out to 2030, reflected in our UK-Ireland Joint Statement.
Our programme of co-operation recognises the unique and deeply consequential nature of the British-Irish relationship. In a challenging global environment, the benefits and significance of a stronger and more settled relationship between our two countries have never been greater.
Amongst other areas, we committed to cooperation to support infrastructure delivery; measures to support the vitally important trade and investment links between us - worth over €100 billion annually - and cooperation to realise our clean energy ambitions.
Given the challenging global geo-political and security environment, we also agreed to deepen cooperation on foreign and security policy matters. This is rooted in our commitment to the global multilateral system and international law. We are clear that the continued safety and security of our people is a priority for us both. Our ongoing and continued cooperation to protect the integrity of the Common Travel Area is central to this.
Importantly, our roles and responsibilities as co-guarantors of peace in Northern Ireland remain the bedrock of our relationship. I was pleased therefore that the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Hillary Benn, joined the Summit. Amongst other areas, we reflected on the work ongoing, at both official and political level, between our two governments to determine if we can find adequate common ground to move forward together on issues relating to legacy. As co-guarantors of the Good Friday Agreement, we are clear on the importance of a more reconciled, peaceful and prosperous Northern Ireland. Our work on addressing the legacy of the past is vital to that.
In summary, the UK-Ireland Summit and our associated cooperation statement, mark the most ambitious and extensive engagement between the Irish and UK Governments in a generation. It was agreed to establish a UK-Ireland 2030 Steering Group led by the UK Cabinet Office and Department of the Taoiseach in order to take forward the range of commitments agreed upon. Through our new annual Summits, and in working through the institutions of the Good Friday Agreement, I look forward to a particularly fruitful period of partnership and cooperation in the service of people across these islands.
141. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report the exchange of views with the Belarusian opposition leader that took place at the EU General Affairs Council meeting which he attended in Brussels on 18 March 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15342/25]
View answer149. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the deteriorating human rights situation in Belarus and the continuing persecution and intimidation campaigns against all segments of Belarusian society; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15340/25]
View answer168. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the steps he is taking to support democracy and human rights in Belarus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15468/25]
View answer170. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his assessment of the current situation in Belarus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15334/25]
View answer188. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the efforts by Ireland to secure the release of political prisoners held in Belarus; his views on the current political situation in Belarus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15193/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 141, 149, 168, 170 and 188 together.
Last Tuesday, 25th March, marked Belarus Freedom Day. I would like to take this opportunity to reaffirm Ireland’s commitment to supporting the Belarusian democratic movement in its pursuit of a democratic future for all Belarusians.
On 26 January, together with other EU Foreign Affairs, I met with Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, the exiled leader of the Belarusian democratic movement, in Brussels ahead of the Foreign Affairs Council. At that meeting, I reiterated Ireland's commitment to continuing to speak out against the Lukashenko regime and to support the rights of the Belarusian population and the Belarusian democratic movement.
I also conveyed the support and good wishes of the people of Ireland, noting the close ties of friendship that Ms Tsikhanouskaya holds for Ireland from her childhood visits to our country.
Ireland reiterated its support for the democratic opposition in Belarus at a working breakfast with Ms Tsikhanouskaya in the margins of the General Affairs Council on 18 March 2025.
Ireland remains extremely concerned at the ongoing erosion of human rights and democracy in Belarus.
As was the case with the fraudulent 2020 and 2024 elections, the Belarusian sham presidential election on 26 January 2025 can be considered neither free nor fair.
We are deeply conscious that the people of Belarus have once again been denied a real voice in the governing of their country.
The relentless and unprecedented repression of human rights, restrictions on political participation and access to independent media in Belarus deprived the electoral process of any legitimacy.
It is clear that this unprecedented level of repression is intended to stifle freedom of expression and prevent any criticism of the regime.
Ireland’s response to the situation in Belarus has focused on working bilaterally, at EU, and multilateral level, to support civil society and the democratic opposition in exile and to highlight concerns regarding the Lukashenko regime including its consistent use of state sponsored crack-downs to stifle opposition voices and shore up its own illegitimate authoritarianism.
We will continue to support strong coordinated EU sanctions to hold Belarus accountable for its violations of human rights and the rule of law, and its complicity in Russia’s ongoing illegal invasion of Ukraine.
And we will continue to support the democratic opposition in exile, and the people of Belarus in their legitimate aspirations for freedom and democracy.
