Tom Brabazon
Ceist:82. Deputy Tom Brabazon asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the steps being taken at an EU level regarding the reconstruction of Gaza. [66463/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMiddle East
Ceisteanna (82)
Freagraí scríofa
I welcome the ceasefire and hostage release agreement, which is a significant achievement and offers a moment of hope.
In this first phase, preserving the ceasefire agreement and ensuring humanitarian aid enters into and throughout Gaza at scale is a central focus of my engagement with my international counterparts, including EU colleagues. At the Foreign Affairs Council last Thursday, I called on Israel to remove the continuing impediments to aid and to facilitate an immediate scale-up of aid access by the UN and its agencies, including UNRWA.
In October, Ireland announced an additional €6 million in humanitarian aid for the people of Gaza to fund urgent food, medical care and other vital services. Ten trucks carrying essential supplies of food, supported by Irish Aid, arrived in Gaza in recent weeks for distribution to people who urgently need it.
While my focus is on the humanitarian response, Gaza has enormous recovery and reconstruction needs. Ireland has consistently stressed that Palestinian ownership must be a guiding principle in this process, and that the right of Palestinians to remain on their own land is upheld. Governance of Gaza must involve the Palestinian Authority. In this regard, I was pleased to attend the inaugural meeting of the Palestine Donor Group last Thursday, convened by the European Commission, where I had the opportunity to meet with Palestinian Prime Minister Mustafa and to hear from the Palestinian Authority on progress made on its Reform Agenda. I welcomed the progress made to date, including the measures to strengthen the rule of law and judicial system, and to tackle corruption. These reforms are commendable, particularly considering the significant number of obstacles the Palestinian Authority is facing.
The EU is committed to support all efforts to stabilise the region, including transitional governance, recovery and reconstruction. Ireland will work closely towards these aims with the EU in the period ahead.
Question No. 83 answered with Question No. 72.
Trade Promotion
Ceisteanna (84)
John Paul O'Shea
Ceist:84. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which Ireland is engaging at EU level to secure investment and trade opportunities that benefit rural regions; the steps being taken to ensure that areas like Cork north west can maximise the economic benefits of EU programmes and external trade agreements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [65267/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Ireland has always been a strong advocate for securing new trade deals in order to maximise the potential to expand EU and Irish trading opportunities around the world.
As Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade I will continue to pursue our Programme for Government commitment to support an ambitious EU trade agenda, promoting new trade deals, with proper assurances regarding sustainability, human rights and the protection of our agricultural sector.
Since the shift in US trade policy earlier this year, the global trading environment has fundamentally changed. As a small open economy, we are particularly vulnerable to these external developments. This new reality also brings into even sharper focus the imperative for Ireland and the EU to diversify our markets with new reliable, global partners. It is also important that our trade agreements are coherent in the standards we demand from trading partners.
That is why at the EU level Ireland is engaging with the European Commission to secure new and meaningful trade and investment opportunities. There are several active negotiations ongoing, including with partners in South East Asia such as Thailand, Malaysia and the Philippines, as well as with India and Australia.
The two-way mutually beneficial nature of trade agreements will mean that they allow our indigenous businesses and entrepreneurs to take advantage of and expand into new markets, while at the same time creating the conditions to allow investment to flow into all regions of the country, thus creating jobs and supporting the local economy.
That is why trade deals are so important for Ireland and will be central mechanisms to further our economic growth in the coming years – including for our rural regions like Cork North West.
Question No. 85 answered with Question No. 42.
EU Presidency
Ceisteanna (86)
Duncan Smith
Ceist:86. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to outline her Department’s priorities in advance of Ireland holding the European Presidency; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [66302/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Ireland will hold the Presidency of the Council of the European Union for the eighth time from 1 July to 31 December 2026. This will be an important opportunity for Ireland to lead and shape the European agenda, and this Government has made a firm commitment to resource and deliver a successful Presidency in 2026.
Ireland's Presidency priorities and policy programme are under development, taking into account the EU's Strategic Agenda for 2024-29, the legislative programme proposed by the European Commission, and the Government's priorities in relation to the EU. Consultations with our European partners will also inform the development of our priorities and policy programme, as will the evolution of the Council’s legislative agenda through the current Presidency term of Denmark (July to December 2025) and that of Cyprus (January to June 2026).
The Government recognises the importance of ensuring that stakeholder groups in Ireland have their voices heard. A consultation process with domestic stakeholders is also guiding the development of Ireland's Presidency policy programme and priorities. As a part of this process, my Department has completed a series of consultation meetings with stakeholders from across business, civil society, trade unions and other interest groups. In addition to this, a call for written submissions on the development of Ireland’s policy priorities, hosted on gov.ie, launched on 5 November and will run until the 12 December. This will ensure that all interested parties have the opportunity to have their say on the development of Ireland’s Presidency priorities.
I understand that other Government Departments are also engaging in sector-specific Presidency consultations with stakeholder groups. This process will allow consideration to be given to a broad range of policy issues as our Presidency programme is developed.
Following the conclusion of this process, the Government will agree and publish our programme of policy priorities for the Presidency in June 2026, shortly before the start of Ireland's Presidency term.
Question No. 87 answered with Question No. 45.
Question No. 88 answered with Question No. 45.
Foreign Policy
Ceisteanna (89)
Sinéad Gibney
Ceist:89. Deputy Sinéad Gibney asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to provide an update on the way in which Ireland is helping the UN to shape and contribute to policy around lethal autonomous weapons systems; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [66726/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Ireland is active in seeking to shape multilateral progress on the regulation of lethal autonomous weapons systems.
Ireland’s view is that autonomous weapons systems that operate outside of human control should be prohibited, and other autonomous weapons systems should be regulated given their unique characteristics. Considering the pace of technological development and the dangers posed by such weapons, Ireland’s view is that formal negotiations on an international legally binding instrument should begin as soon as possible.
To achieve this, Ireland is active at the Group of Governmental Experts on Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems which meets under the auspices of the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons at the United Nations in Geneva. Ireland has also co-sponsored resolutions which have been successfully adopted by the United Nations General Assembly First Committee on this issue, most recently in October 2025.
A dedicated legally binding instrument would complement international humanitarian law – including the principles of distinction, precaution and proportionality – which applies to the use of autonomous weapons systems.
Diaspora Issues
Ceisteanna (90)
Naoise Ó Cearúil
Ceist:90. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to consider establishing a one-stop shop to assist returning Irish citizens in addressing practical issues such as driver’s licence changes, Revenue matters and record transfers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [66646/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In line with commitments in the Programme for Government, I am committed to facilitating the easier return to Ireland for our diaspora.
Through the Emigrant Support Programme, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trace funds the Citizens' Information Board's "Returning to Ireland" portal. This portal contains a wide range of practical information and advice for returning emigrants, including on issues such as driving licences and personal finances. Furthermore, the Department also works closely with partners such as Crosscare and Safe Home, who provide information to returning Irish emigrants.
The Department also funds Back for Business, an initiative to support and guide early stage entrepreneurs who have returned, or plan to return, to Ireland.
In recent months I have hosted a series of consultations with Irish communities around the world to inform the development of the Government's next Diaspora Strategy. These in-person consultations have been supplemented by an online consultation, the Global Irish Survey, which ran throughout the summer, and asked participants for any views they may have on barriers to returning to Ireland. These discussions will inform the development of the strategy.
Finally, through the Interdepartmental Committee on the Irish Abroad which I chair, we also work closely with other departments on specific issues such as access to PPS numbers and the criteria around habitual residence in areas such as social protection and housing.
Northern Ireland
Ceisteanna (91)
Shane Moynihan
Ceist:91. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if her Department has had any recent engagement with the families of the ‘disappeared’ in Northern Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [66603/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The families of the Disappeared have had to endure a singularly cruel experience, facing not only the tragedy and injustice of losing a loved one, but also for decades not knowing where that loved one was buried or if they might be recovered.
My Department has ongoing engagement with a number of victims’ and survivors groups, which include the families of the Disappeared. As part of these engagements, the then Minister for Foreign Affairs met members of the family of Columba McVeigh on October 2022 and January 2023 respectively.
My Department maintains regular contact with a number of victims’ and survivors groups, including WAVE, who work closely with a number of the families of the Disappeared. This included engagement at Ministerial level in May of this year, during the course of the negotiations with the British Government on the Joint Framework on the legacy of the Troubles, announced on 19 September. The dignity, courage and tenacity of those who continue to seek truth, accountability, and justice for what happened to them and their loved ones is to be commended.
As Minister for Justice, I met with the Independent Commission for the Location of Victims’ Remains and was struck by their dedication to their task. The role of the Commission is a critical, humanitarian one: to support these families who have suffered the devastating loss of their loved ones. This government remains steadfast in its commitment to supporting the ongoing work of the Commission.
My colleague, Minister O’Callaghan, is continuing this work and will attend the National Missing Persons Day Ceremony next Wednesday 3 December alongside family members of the Disappeared. I understand he also intends to have further engagement with the ICLVR in the New Year.
I know that the Commission will continue its vital work and I appeal again to anyone with any information that could help the families of Columba McVeigh, Joseph Lynskey, Robert Nairac and Seamus Maguire to share this information with the Commission now, where it will be treated with the utmost confidentiality.
Question No. 92 answered with Question No. 24.
Religious Persecution
Ceisteanna (93)
Peadar Tóibín
Ceist:93. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the steps her Department is taking to tackle the rate of Christian and religious persecution internationally; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [65827/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The promotion and protection of freedom of religion or belief is a priority in Ireland. The right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion (more commonly referred to as freedom of religion or belief) is a fundamental freedom, enshrined in Article 18 of both the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. We advance this freedom both in our multilateral and bilateral engagements.
Ireland strongly condemns all forms of persecution on the basis of religion or belief, including instances when Christians face persecution for exercising the right to practice their faith. Ireland consistently raises issues related to freedom of religion or belief at the United Nations, including at the UN Human Rights Council and during the Universal Periodic Review process, which acts as a peer review of the human rights situation in all UN Member States.
Most recently, at the UN General Assembly’s Third Committee in October, Ireland restated our concern for the persecution of people on the basis of their religion. In particular, we condemned all acts of hatred, including the oppression of Christians, during the interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief.
In January of this year the Council of the European Union approved the EU’s priorities in United Nations Human Rights Fora which, included a call upon States to uphold freedom of religion or belief, as enshrined in article 10 of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights. I support this call and am ready to continue to show Ireland’s unwavering support for these fundamental rights, both nationally and at multilateral fora.
Question No. 94 answered with Question No. 78.
Question No. 95 answered with Question No. 78.
Question No. 96 answered with Question No. 73.
Question No. 97 answered with Question No. 13.
Questions Nos. 98 to 100, inclusive, answered orally.