European Union

Wednesday, 25 June 2025

Questions (7)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

7. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if it is the view of the Government that the engagement by the President of the European Commission in speaking with Benjamin Netanyahu on 15 June 2025 is consistent with the long-standing commitment he reiterated in response to Parliamentary Question No. 201 of 19 June 2025 by the EU and its Member States to avoid non-essential contact with individuals who are subject to an arrest warrant of the International Criminal Court (ICC); and if he has sought or received any explanation from the President of the European Commission on her decision to engage with the subject of an ICC arrest warrant. [34696/25]

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Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

The European Union Action Plan on the International Criminal Court, which is a follow-up to Council Decision 2011/168/CFSP, provides that the EU and its Member States should avoid non-essential contact with individuals subject to an arrest warrant issued by the ICC. No definition is provided of what constitutes non-essential contact, which is a judgement to be made on a case-by-case basis in light of the particular prevailing circumstances, including the nature and purpose of the contact. In speaking with Prime Minister Netanyahu by telephone on 15 June, the President of the European Commission was responding to the outbreak of military conflict with Iran two days earlier, and the rapidly escalating tensions between Israel and Iran. The Israel-Iran conflict is the subject of ongoing political engagement at EU level and will be addressed by EU Leaders at the European Council on 26-27 June.