Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 26 March 2026
122. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the measures she intends to take to nullify the effect within the State of foreign sanctions targeting judges of international courts or special rapporteurs of the United Nations, including by use of the Blocking Statute of the European Union; if she intends to seek use of the Blocking Statute at EU level; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22305/26]
View answerIreland is a strong supporter of the International legal order and the international organisations and tribunals that support it. The Government is very concerned about the rising level of threats to these institutions, and in particular, to the International Criminal Court (ICC), which is the cornerstone of the international system of criminal justice.
Ireland deeply regrets the imposition of US sanctions against eleven ICC elected officials and those who engage with the Court, including a UN Special Rapporteur. We also condemn the baseless criminal prosecutions and convictions of nine ICC elected officials by Russia. Such measures threaten to corrode the international legal order on which all states – but particularly small states like Ireland – depend. We call for all coercive measures against the ICC and UN officials to be withdrawn and for the Court to be allowed to continue its important independent and impartial work.
Ireland has been actively engaged with fellow EU Member States and the European Commission on how to best respond to the imposition of US sanctions and the Government believes that a coordinated EU response is the most effective way to protect the Court and its officials. We believe that at this time the best approach is to support the ICC in building resilience and encouraging service providers to continue to engage with the Court.
Ireland has called on the Commission to commence preparatory work on amending the Blocking Statute so that it can be quickly activated at the most appropriate time, having regard in particular to when its activation will have the greatest impact in terms of the defending the Court and ensuring continuity of its activities.
We will continue to engage with the Court, relevant stakeholders and our international partners on how we can best support the ICC and assist it in fulfilling its mandate to end impunity.
