Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 5 February 2025
38. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps he is taking to support displaced Palestinian persons and released detainees to return to their homes; the supports being offered to those whose homes have been destroyed, given that 463,000 or 92% of housing units in the territory have been destroyed or severely/partially damaged; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3079/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra39. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs for an update on the humanitarian situation in Gaza and the West Bank; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3083/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 38 and 39 together.
The Government has welcomed the long-awaited agreement on a hostage release and ceasefire deal for Gaza. This has led to an immediate increase in the volume of critically needed humanitarian assistance entering Gaza.
However, the scale of need remains enormous and the level of destruction from the conflict is so severe that the majority of people in Gaza require significant assistance in multiple areas. These include shelter, health, food security, access to water and psychosocial support. There are also thousands of people who require assistance in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.
Many aid agencies are currently increasing their immediate assistance and beginning the process of planning longer term interventions. The UN has set out its Flash Appeal for Palestine 2025, estimating that at least $6.6 billion is required to address just the humanitarian needs of 3.3 million people across Palestine. The Appeal includes provision for emergency shelter assistance to the 1.9 million people displaced and at risk of exposure. In terms of longer-term planning, a joint UN/World Bank/EU Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment is in process while a recovery plan and reconstruction strategy will also be developed.
Ireland has provided over €62 million in support of the Palestinian people since the beginning of 2023. Of this, more than €50 million has been provided in assistance since October 2023. This includes €38 million in core support to UNRWA, as well as the UN's Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the World Food Programme and others. Ireland’s support also includes the recent arrival in Ireland of 8 patients as part of a medical evacuation and delivery of over 116 tonnes of relief supplies through Ireland’s rapid response initiative.
UNRWA has a mandate from the UN General Assembly and its work is essential and irreplaceable for millions of Palestinian refugees in the region, and particularly in the current context in Gaza and the West Bank. The legislation adopted by the Knesset in 2024 may make it impossible for UNRWA to carry out its work. At present, there is no realistic alternative to UNRWA. We urge the Israeli authorities to repeal measures taken against the Agency.
The capacity to address the enormous needs in Gaza is, of course, dependent on a continued, sustained ceasefire. We urge all concerned to ensure that the ceasefire deal is fully implemented, in all its phases, and that it leads to a political process which gives hope for long term peace based on a two-State solution.
