Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 1 October 2026
26. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to provide an update on Ireland’s engagement with international partners in responding to the ongoing conflict and humanitarian crisis in Sudan. [69165/26]
View answerThe conflict in Sudan has created the world’s worst humanitarian, displacement and protection crisis. Yet it has not garnered the level of international attention, and sustained political engagement, that its scale and severity demand. The Government continues to use our influence in the EU and the UN to raise awareness and to call for and end to the conflict and support for efforts for a Sudanese-led transition to civilian rule.
We are members of the Coalition for Atrocity Prevention and Justice in Sudan alongside Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Sierra Leone, and the UK. We have also highlighted the situation in Sudan regularly at the current session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva.
At the UN General Assembly in New York last week, the Taoiseach, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and I spoke clearly on the situation in Sudan. Delivering Ireland's national statement at the General Assembly, the Taoiseach called on the international community to act more decisively to bring an end to the conflict.
I attended two important Sudan events during the week in New York. At the Sudan Ministerial Meeting, convened by the EU, African Union, France, Germany, UK and US, I underlined Ireland’s support for diplomatic efforts to advance a civilian political dialogue process. I also joined an event, hosted by the Coalition for Atrocity Prevention and Justice in Sudan, which focused on the impact of drone warfare, attacks on civilian infrastructure, and violations of international humanitarian law.
I am deeply concerned by the increasing use of deadly drone strikes in Sudan, which exacerbates civilian suffering and deepens the humanitarian crisis. It is imperative to maintain sustained and coordinated political pressure on all parties to the conflict, including external actors, to comply with their obligations under international law.
In response to growing humanitarian needs, Ireland is increasing our humanitarian assistance to Sudan, and the region, to €21 million this year, up from €14 million in 2025. We will take every opportunity, including through our role as EU Presidency, to continue to advocate for urgent progress on rapid, safe, sustained and unhindered humanitarian access across Sudan.
