Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 2 July 2025
1. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Taoiseach the outcome of the most recent EU Council in relation to the provision of much needed additional support at EU level for the people of Palestine, with the ongoing genocide by Israel, the use of starvation as a method of war, and the prevention of essential food, medicine and other essential supplies reaching innocent people in the most desperate of situations. [36661/25]
View answer2. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Taoiseach the outcome of discussions at the recent EU Council in relation to the need for additional support by the EU and its member states for Ukraine in view of the continued loss of life and suffering being inflicted by Russia. [36660/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1 and 2 together.
I attended a meeting of the European Council on the 26 June 2025. Leaders discussed the ongoing developments in Ukraine and the Middle East, including the humanitarian situation in Gaza. European defence and security, global economic developments, migration, preparedness and the EU’s internal security were also on the agenda.
On Ukraine, Leaders reaffirmed that the EU remains steadfast in its solidarity and support, including regular and predictable financial support. To date, the EU has provided almost €158.6 billion to Ukraine, which includes budgetary, humanitarian and military support.
The European Council also agreed to continue applying pressure on Russia to agree to an unconditional cease-fire while also undermining Russia’s ability to wage war. To that end, the adoption of the 17th package of sanctions, targeting Russia’s energy and financial sectors, including the ‘shadow fleet’ of oil tankers and their operators, was welcomed, with a call for the 18th package to be adopted swiftly.
To support Ukraine’s ability to deter Russian aggression, the European Council made clear that the EU and its Member States stand ready to contribute to robust and credible security guarantees. An important part of this is Ukraine’s EU accession, on which Leaders called for an intensification of work.
On the situation in Gaza, Leaders called for an immediate cease-fire, the unconditional release of all hostages, and a permanent end to hostilities.
Leaders condemned the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, the unacceptable number of civilian casualties and widespread starvation. They called on Israel to fully lift its blockade on Gaza, and to allow unimpeded access and the sustained large-scale distribution of humanitarian assistance.
Leaders further called on Israel to enable the UN and its agencies, and humanitarian organisations, to work independently and impartially.
The European Council reiterated their condemnation of the escalation in the West Bank and repeated the call for further restrictive measures both against extremist settlers and organisations that support them, and against Hamas.
The Leaders also took note of the review of Israel’s human rights obligations under the EU-Israel Association Council, which found Israel to be in breach of its obligations and invited the Council to follow-up on the review.
EU Ministers of Foreign Affairs are expected to consider this follow-up at their meeting in July.
Ireland will continue to advocate for urgent action, up to and including the suspension of the Association Agreement. Israel must be held accountable for its actions in Gaza and the EU must use all the tools at its disposal to ensure that Israel respects its obligations under international law and international humanitarian law.
Finally, the European Council underlined, the EU’s firm commitment to a lasting and sustainable peace based on the two-state solution and to continue to work with regional and international partners to support the Palestinian Authority.
