Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 1 July 2026
87. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if her attention has been drawn to the recent expressions of support within the European Union for Morocco's autonomy plan as a credible and pragmatic basis for resolving the Western Sahara dispute; whether the Government intends to consider the EU stance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50051/26]
View answerOn 31 October 2025, the United Nations Security Council adopted Resolution 2797, extending the mandate of the UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara, MINURSO, for one year until 31 October 2026. Ireland is not currently a member of the United Nations Security Council but has taken note of Resolution 2797.
The resolution “expresses its full support for the Secretary-General and his Personal Envoy, Staffan de Mistura, in facilitating and conducting negotiations taking as basis Morocco’s Autonomy Proposal”. It also “welcomes any constructive suggestions by the parties in response to the Autonomy Proposal”.
Following the adoption by the Security Council of Resolution 2797, the Personal Envoy outlined that the resolution provides a framework for negotiations. He further underlined that the resolution “does not prescribe an outcome…which will, as always, in order to be sustainable, be the result of negotiations conducted in good faith.”
The EU Common Position for the EU-Morocco Association Council, which took place on 29 January 2026 welcomed the renewal of the MINURSO mandate, and also welcomed any constructive suggestions that the parties may make in response to the autonomy plan. The text of the Common Position represented a balance of the views of the 27 EU Member States, which differ internally on the issue of Western Sahara.
Ireland's position on Western Sahara has been and continues to be guided by the aim of achieving a just and lasting political solution that will provide for the self-determination of the people of Western Sahara.
Ireland's engagement on this issue will also continue to take account of the role of, and the insights provided by, Staffan de Mistura. Any outcome should be consistent with the principles and purposes of the Charter of the United Nations, including the fundamental principle in international law of the right of peoples to self-determination. It is in this spirit that Ireland will continue to support UN-led efforts to achieve a solution to this long-standing dispute.
Officials at the headquarters of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and in the mission network continue to be in contact with relevant parties to the dispute in this regard. Any relevant developments will continue to be kept under close review, including in the context of EU and UN discussions.
