Written Answers Nos. 41-60
42. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the progression of the Israeli Settlements (Prohibition of Importation of Goods) Bill 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [66661/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra44. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if she agrees with the recommendation of the Oireachtas Joint Committee Foreign Affairs and Trade to include services in the version of the Israeli Settlements (Prohibition of Importation of Goods) Bill 2025 to be introduced by the Government; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [65956/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra47. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if she will outline the current status of the proposed Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (Prohibition of Importation of Goods) Bill 2025, including whether her Department has examined the inclusion of both goods and services within its scope, given the significance of this legislation for Ireland’s approach to international humanitarian law; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [66721/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra59. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if she will set out a clear timeline for when she intends to pass the Israeli Settlements (Prohibition of Importation of Goods) Bill 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [65874/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra66. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if she will include services in the version of the Israeli Settlements (Prohibition of Importation of Goods) Bill 2025 to be introduced by the Government; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [65955/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra80. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when she is planning to introduce a Bill to prohibit imports of goods from Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories, as stated in the Programme for Government; if the Bill will include a ban on services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [66248/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra85. Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the timeframe for when she plans to introduce legislation to prohibit trade in goods and services with illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories. [66745/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 42, 44, 47, 59, 66, 80 and 85 together.
In June, the Government approved the General Scheme of the Israeli Settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (Prohibition of Importation of Goods) Bill. The main purpose of the Bill is to prohibit the importation of goods into the State from Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem. The Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade held a number of hearings on the General Scheme, and received submissions representing a range of views and perspectives.
Pre-Legislative Scrutiny is an important part of the legislative process and the Tánaiste thanked the Committee for its report on receipt. Detailed work to analyse the report and its recommendations is well underway.
The Regulatory Impact Assessment is currently being finalised by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and will be available on the Department’s website when completed.
The next steps in the process, including the timeline for the progress of the Bill, are being considered by Government.
The General Scheme fulfils the commitment in the Programme for Government to prohibit the import of goods from settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory. Trade in services is considerably more complex than is the case with goods and there remains considerable legal uncertainty as to whether the inclusion of services is permissible under EU law. Legal clarity is needed on this point.
We must also take account of practical issues with regard to implementation should services be included in the scope of the Bill.
It remains the Government’s preference that collective action would be taken at EU level and we continue to pursue this.
In this context, Ireland has welcomed the announcements by the Dutch, Slovenian, and Belgian Governments regarding the banning of the importation of goods produced in illegal Israeli settlements, and the introduction of legislation by the Spanish government
At the EU level, the primary focus right now is ensuring the success of the ceasefire and peace deal and of making a contribution to international efforts in this regard.
43. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position of the Government on the continuation, in its current format, of the EU-Israeli trade agreement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [66127/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra48. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade for an update on the EU-Israel Association agreement; and the efforts being made by the Government in relation to the suspension of the agreement. [66748/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 43 and 48 together.
On 14 February 2024, the then Taoiseach, along with Prime Minister Sanchez of Spain, wrote to the President of the European Commission requesting an urgent review of whether Israel was complying with its human rights obligations under the EU-Israel Association Agreement. Furthermore, the letter requested that the Commission propose appropriate measures for the consideration of the Council, should it find that Israel was in breach of its obligations.
A review of the EU-Israel Association Agreement, initiated by the Foreign Affairs Council in May 2025, found that actions taken by the Israeli government represented a breach of essential elements relating to respect for human rights and democratic principles. In the months following , the European Commission put forward a number of proposals, one of which was to suspend the core trade-related provisions of the Association Agreement. This would have the effect of removing the preferential tariffs afforded to goods from the State of Israel under the terms of the Association Agreement.
Ireland welcomed the Commission proposals and encouraged fellow Member States to support them.
Notwithstanding the positive and welcome recent developments with regard to a ceasefire and hostage release deal in Gaza, Ireland along with other Member States, has made clear its view that the proposals should remain on the table. In her State of the Union address, the President of the European Commission was clear on the rationale for tabling the package of proposals, which remains valid.
The Government has always been of the view that the EU-Israel Association Agreement must be interpreted and applied in accordance with the obligations of the EU and its Member States under international law.
45. Deputy Sinéad Gibney asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to provide an update on the Mercosur trade agreement and Ireland's position on the protection of the environment and livelihoods of Irish farmers in the context of the agreement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [66725/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra55. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade her response to the EU Commission's final package of proposals for the EU-Mercosur Partnership Agreement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [66263/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra68. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his Department's most recent assessment of the public health risks posed by the EU-Mercosur agreement, specifically in relation to the importation of agricultural products produced using pesticides and growth hormones banned in the EU; and the immediate verifiable audit and inspection protocols which will be put in place before ratification to guarantee that all Mercosur imports meet the traceability and sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) standards currently required of Irish farmers and EU consumers. [66668/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra70. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the engagements she has had in relation to the EU-Mercosur Trade Agreement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [65492/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra71. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade her plans to oppose the Mercosur Trade Agreement in view of its detrimental impact on Irish agriculture; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [65163/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra87. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the specific, legally-binding mechanisms Ireland is demanding be added to the EU-Mercosur agreement to ensure that imported agricultural products, particularly beef and soy, are demonstrably deforestation-free and meet the same high EU climate standards as Irish-produced goods, in order to resolve the current crisis of climate hypocrisy at the heart of the proposed deal; and if the Government will commit to vetoing the agreement if these non-negotiable standards are not secured. [66667/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra88. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade for an update on any discussions with other EU countries on Mercosur; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [66420/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 45, 55, 68, 70, 71, 87 and 88 together.
The European Commission presented its final package on the EU-Mercosur Partnership Agreement on 3 September and its proposal for the adoption and approval of the agreement by the Council of the European Union and European Parliament. The package includes the consolidated text of the original agreement negotiated in 2019 and the additional legal instrument addressing trade and sustainability commitments, which was agreed in December 2024. It also includes several accompanying initiatives, which are intended to address agricultural sector concerns. They include a proposed legal act to operationalise safeguards to protect sensitive products, a financial safety net for farmers, and commitments on the alignment of production and sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) standards.
We have always been clear that such free trade agreements must defend our most vulnerable sectors and that our farmers’ livelihoods must not be undermined through weak or ineffective environmental standards in other countries. This position is clearly outlined in the Programme for Government, which, in January 2025, stated that the Government will work with like-minded EU countries to stand up for Irish farmers and defend our interests in opposing the current Mercosur trade deal. In our trade negotiations, we have always been guided by standing up for and defending the interests of Irish farmers, along with raising concerns on climate, biodiversity and deforestation.
It’s worth stating that imports from Mercosur must continue to comply with all EU standards that protect food safety, animal and plant health and animal welfare, as well as EU consumer interests. The agreement does not weaken these requirements in any way. In line with the ambition set out in the Vision for Agriculture and Food, the Commission has committed to step up SPS import controls by increasing the number of audits and checks in third countries, and by strengthening controls on the ground. It is vital that these standards are vigorously upheld by the Commission to address the concerns of the farming community.
Over the past number of months, Government ministers and officials have continued to engage intensively at EU level – with both the European Commission and with counterparts in EU Member States, including like-minded countries – to voice our concerns with the agreement and to interrogate the outcome of negotiations to assess if our concerns have been adequately addressed. The Government has also remained in regular contact with Irish stakeholders from the agriculture, environment and business sectors, as we sought to fully understand their concerns. Since taking on the role of Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade just last week, I have discussed international trade developments with my counterparts from a number of EU Member States, including at the Council of Trade Ministers on 24 November.
It is now important that we take time to assess the package in its entirety to understand if our concerns with the agreement have been adequately addressed. As part of this process, I and my officials will intensify our engagement with the Commission, with like-minded EU Member States, and importantly with stakeholders in Ireland in the period ahead.
Pending that examination, Ireland’s position on the EU-Mercosur Agreement remains as clearly outlined in the Programme for Government.
46. Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if her Department is considering the provision of emergency passport appointments for first-time applications for children, or for adult renewal applications where the applicant’s passport is over 15 years from the date of issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [66736/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAll passport applications are subject to the requirements of the Passports Act 2008, as amended ('2008 Act').
First time applications are too complex to process at a public counter as they are essentially verifications of Irish citizenship.
It is the responsibility of the Passport Service to protect the integrity of the Irish passport system. As such, a rigorous process is in place to validate the identity of applicants and to confirm their citizenship status.
In the case of first time passport applications for children, the consent of guardians must also be thoroughly validated. It is vitally important that the consent of a child's guardians is witnessed correctly in order to protect the integrity of the passport application process and the rights of the child and their guardians.
In order to comply with its obligations under data protection legislation, the Department holds data collected for the purposes of processing an application, only as long as there is a business need to do so, in line with the purposes for which the data was collected. The Passport Service's Data Privacy Notice provides for data to be held for 15 years after the date of issuance. After this time, the data is due for destruction and will be destroyed in line with internal guidelines and guidelines for destruction received from the National Archives. A minimum amount of data can be held beyond this period for the purpose of fraud prevention. Therefore, a renewal application made more than 15 years after the issuance of a passport, is treated as a first time application.
Due to the extra measures applied by highly trained and experienced staff, first time online passport applications take 20 working days to process.
The Travel Emergency service is available to all citizens in cases of medical emergency or death of a family member abroad. The Passport Service will expedite a first time passport application where the criteria for travel emergency has been met and where the applicant's entitlement to Irish citizenship and identity has been proven. For all children's applications, the Child Identity and Consent form must be correctly completed, witnessed and validated by the Passport Service.
49. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if she will report on her Department’s engagement with and support for the International Fund for Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [66422/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraEstablished by the Irish and British Governments in 1986, the International Fund for Ireland (IFI) works to promote economic and social progress and to foster dialogue, contact, and reconciliation between Nationalist and Unionist communities in Northern Ireland and the southern border counties. Over almost 40 years, the Fund has delivered transformative peace-building outcomes and strengthened community resilience.
Since 2021, the Irish and British Governments have also contributed to the Fund. The Irish Government committed €20 million to the IFI under its Connecting Communities strategy (2021–2024), and a further €4 million in 2025. In early 2025, following the cessation of funding from USAID, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade agreed to underwrite project funding for this year in respect of a number of projects that would otherwise ended in spring 2025.
This investment reflects the priority Ireland places on reconciliation, cooperation, and sustaining the gains of the Good Friday Agreement; and complements the Government’s broader Shared Island Initiative.
Despite progress, the IFI’s work remains essential. Cross-border tensions have re-emerged in the post-Brexit context, and many communities - particularly those historically marginalised - feel the benefits of the peace process have not fully reached them. The IFI’s independence enables it to operate in the most sensitive environments and to support projects that government bodies cannot, ensuring engagement with communities that are difficult to reach.
We remain firmly committed to the IFI, and continue to engage with its international donors and advocate strongly for sustained and enhanced support. Such backing is essential to ensure the Fund can continue its unique and effective role in consolidating peace, promoting reconciliation, and supporting communities across the island in the years ahead.
51. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if she will host a European Council meeting in north Tipperary during Ireland’s Presidency of the European Union; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [66713/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland will hold the Presidency of the Council of the European Union from July to December 2026. During the six-month Presidency, Ireland will be responsible for driving the EU policy agenda and advancing work on EU legislative and policy initiatives. Irish Ministers and officials will chair most meetings in the framework of the Council of Ministers, and will represent the Council in its relations with other EU institutions, notably the European Parliament.
The Programme for Government includes a commitment to resource and deliver a successful Presidency, and indicates that the Government will seek to bring some of the high-level meetings of our Presidency to cities and counties across Ireland, ensuring the entire country benefits from the profile the Presidency brings.
My Department is working closely with relevant Departments and agencies across Government to plan the range of meetings and events to be hosted in Ireland during the Presidency. This planning work includes assessment of the suitability of a wide range of locations as possible venues for Presidency meetings and events, taking account of specific criteria. Final decisions on the list of Presidency meetings and events to be hosted in Ireland, and the locations for those events, will be made in the coming months.
52. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade her assessment of the intimidation and violence against the Palestinian people in the West Bank; the actions her Department is taking to increase the international pressure on Israel to halt their campaign of displacement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [66647/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhile international attention is understandably focused on the ceasefire and need for implementation of the peace agreement in Gaza, including the need to urgently scale up humanitarian access, Ireland has not lost sight of the situation in the West Bank, where unprecedented Israeli military operations have caused widespread displacement and destruction of civilian infrastructure and homes.
I am deeply concerned by illegal settlement construction, and increasing and escalating extremist settler violence, which continue in an environment of impunity, restricting life for Palestinians across the West Bank. The olive harvest this year has been marred by the highest levels of settler violence recorded over the past five years. The number of settlement plans and tenders advanced by Israel in 2023 and 2024 represents a 250% increase over a period of seven years since 2018.
Ireland, alongside our EU partners, is strongly opposed to Israel’s settlement policy and activities, including in and around East Jerusalem. Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory are illegal under international law. This is the long-standing position of the European Union. Ireland has repeatedly called on Israel to immediately halt these activities and welcomes strong US statements clearly opposing annexation of the West Bank.
Ireland has strongly supported the sanctions adopted by the EU against both individuals and entities involved in settler violence. Ireland welcomes further proposals from the European Commission to sanction extremist Israeli ministers and violent settlers.
The West Bank must be centrally considered as work to implement the next phase of the Comprehensive Peace Plan for Gaza progresses, given its centrality to a durable peace plan with the implementation of the two-State solution as its central goal. Ireland continues to advocate for this at EU and international level. Ireland was active in preparing the UN High-level Conference on the Two-State Solution, held in New York from 28 - 30 July and the outcome document from the meeting – the New York Declaration – has been endorsed by 142 countries. Ireland is also an active member of the Global Alliance for the Implementation of the Two-State Solution and will host a meeting of the Global Alliance in Ireland in early 2026, where we will share elements of our own experience of a successful peace process in Northern Ireland.
I am also extremely concerned about Israeli actions that severely hamper the functioning of Palestine’s economy and financial systems. Last week, I attended the inaugural meeting of the Palestine Donor Group in Brussels where I called on Israel to release the withheld tax revenues of over US$3 billion immediately and to urgently implement the Paris Protocol to ease the liquidity crisis facing the Palestinian Authority. Ireland has also joined the Emergency Coalition for the Financial Sustainability of the Palestinian Authority the purpose of which is to stabilise the Palestinian Authority’s finances and preserve its ability to govern, provide essential services, and maintain security, all of which are indispensable to regional stability and to preserving the two-State solution.
53. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade for an update on the implementation of the joint framework on legacy published on 19 September 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [66602/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe measures announced in the Joint Framework published in September provide a pathway to truth and accountability, and, to the extent possible, justice for those most affected by the violence of the Troubles and represents a clear break with the 2023 UK Legacy Act.
Focus has now shifted, rightly, to the implementation of our shared and respective commitments.
I welcome the speed at which the British government has brought forward the Bill, which passed second reading in the House of Commons last week. It demonstrates the seriousness with which the Secretary of State and his colleagues are approaching this essential work.
We also have responsibilities in this jurisdiction. In the Joint Framework we committed to enabling “the fullest possible cooperation of the relevant Irish authorities with the Legacy Commission, once established” and we will bring forward legislation to facilitate this cooperation.
Obviously we can only legislate once the UK legislation is enacted. Work has begun on this in the background and at last week's meeting of the British Irish Intergovernmental Conference in Farmleigh, the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration said that he is hopeful the General Scheme of the Bill will be published in April or May of next year.
Reciprocal cooperation between the two jurisdictions is at the heart of the Joint Framework and this Government will not be found wanting on legacy.
Legacy investigations in this jurisdiction have remained active under An Garda Síochána. That will continue. In addition, a dedicated unit within An Garda Síochána, as a single point of contact for cross-border cooperation and for victims and families will be established before the end of the year.
Legislation will also be required to facilitate the establishment of the jointly funded Independent Commission on Information Retrieval, and officials are working on updating the 2015 Treaty establishing the ICIR.
We are also committed to a financial contribution of €25 million over three years to include the costs of participation and representation of victims, survivors and next of kin in legacy processes.
To leave the legacy of the Troubles unresolved is to hold back the essential task of reconciliation, and to allow trauma to pass down the generations. The timely and faithful implementation of the Joint Framework, by both Governments, is what is now needed to begin to break this cycle.
54. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade for an update on contacts with Scottish and UK authorities on reaching an agreement on issues relating to Rockall; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [66126/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe consistent position of successive Irish Governments is that Ireland does not recognise Britain’s claim of sovereignty over Rockall. Accordingly, Ireland does not accept that a 12 nautical mile (22km) territorial sea exists around Rockall.
We understand that the UK takes a different view.
Reaching an agreement on issues relating to Rockall continues to be important for the Government. Officials in my Department and in the Department for Agriculture, Food, Fisheries and the Marine, remain in contact with the relevant Scottish and UK authorities on this issue.
The matter has been raised with the First Minister of Scotland, John Swinney, and the Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, External Affairs and Culture, Angus Robertson, with agreement that we would continue to work together to seek to seek a resolution.
The Government is seeking to address the issues involved through this engagement, reflecting long-standing fisheries patterns in the area. We hope that a resolution - which is in all of our mutual interests - can be found to the issues involved.
56. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade in view of Ireland's commitment to supporting democratisation, human rights and the rule of law as a key element of foreign policy, the extent to which Ireland is currently contributing observers to international election observation missions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [66692/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government remains committed to supporting democratisation, human rights, and the rule of law, as a key element of our foreign policy. Support to election observation is central to this commitment and Ireland has contributed observers to international election observation missions since the 1990s.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade maintains and administers a roster enabling Ireland to respond to calls to participate in election observation missions coordinated by the OSCE and the EU. The current five-year Roster commenced on 1 January 2024 and has 170 members.
Since the start of 2024, 111 members of the Roster, including 77 this year, have participated in 26 election observation missions across five continents. Roster members have represented Ireland on OSCE missions to Albania, Azerbaijan (twice), Bosnia & Herzegovina, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova (twice), Mongolia, North Macedonia (twice), Romania, Serbia, the United States, and Uzbekistan. Members have also participated on EU Missions to Bolivia, Ecuador, Guyana, Honduras, Jordan, Kosovo, Malawi, Mozambique, Philippines, Senegal, and Sri Lanka.
The budget for Ireland’s Roster has increased by 50%, from €200,000 in 2024, to €300,000 in 2025. This budget is limited to supporting nominations to missions in countries eligible to receive Official Development Assistance (ODA), as classified by the OECD. Where missions take place in countries which are not eligible for ODA, financial support may be provided from other budget lines to allow for participation, as was the case for the US Elections in 2024 and Romanian Elections in 2025.
57. Deputy Tony McCormack asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when the next meeting of the Government Trade Forum will take place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [66632/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra61. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if she will report on the work of the Government trade forum; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [66429/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 57 and 61 together.
I propose to take the questions put by Deputies McCormack and O'Connor on the Government Trade Forum together.
Since its establishment in February, the Forum has become an important strategic vehicle for engagement with key stakeholders on trade issues, including across Government, business organisations, trade unions and other representative groups.
Discussions at the trade forum have helped shape the national, multifaceted response to the trade challenges facing the country and the business sector.
The Government Trade Forum has also focused on the opportunities to further build on Ireland’s strong trade performance, considering the entirety of Ireland’s trading relationships, including for example opportunities arising from EU trade agreements, and consideration of how best to advance Ireland’s economic interests with our largest bilateral trading partners.
The Forum has met on nine occasions and has already shown its value, playing an important role in the Government’s response to emerging trade developments and opportunities. It has also enabled dialogue and information-exchange, through engaging with businesses from strategically important sectors of the economy, including pharmaceuticals, med-tech, semiconductors, aviation, agrifood and international financial services. The minutes of each Forum meeting are published and available online on ireland.ie.
In addition to addressing ongoing trade issues, the Forum takes a longer term-strategic view on trade issues. The Forum’s work programme is guided by a Work Plan for 2025, which is also available at ireland.ie. My Department is currently preparing a Work Plan for 2026 for consideration by the Forum members. A key focus for next year will be monitoring implementation of the Action Plan on Market Diversification, published by Government in August, which includes a range of actions by Government Departments and State agencies, with the objective of supporting businesses in their market diversification ambitions. I would propose that we will also continue with the high-level sectoral engagements.
I very much look forward to taking on the role as Chair in my capacity as Minister with responsibility for trade policy and I plan to convene a meeting of the Forum in the coming weeks and confirm dates for a series of further meetings for 2026.
58. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if her attention has been drawn to the case of a person (details supplied) in Hungary; the actions she will take to ensure that this situation is raised at an EU level; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [66738/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland continuously advocates for the promotion and protection of the rights of LGBTQI+ people in Hungary and throughout the world. We have consistently raised our concerns in relation to serious Rule of Law backsliding and the targeting of civil society and minority rights in Hungary, including in direct contacts with our Hungarian interlocutors.
Through the Diverse Youth Network Association, we supported Pécs Pride which took place on 4 October. Furthermore, and as an expression of our solidarity, a representative from the Embassy of Ireland was present in Pécs as an observer alongside diplomats from like-minded countries. The Pride passed peacefully under the auspices of the local authorities and where people marched in celebration of LGBTQI+ rights.
I am aware that the organiser of Pécs Pride was summoned for police questioning during which he was made aware of the potential charges on suspicion of having committed a criminal offence for organising the parade despite the police ban. Following the interview, a recommendation to press charges from the Police Department was submitted to the Prosecutor's Office.
The Prosecutor’s Office has one year, extendable by six months, to decide whether to suspend or terminate the proceedings, or to formalise charges. Together with other like-minded Embassies in Budapest, the Irish Embassy remains in ongoing contact with the organiser.
Our Ambassador to Hungary has also spoken with the Mayor of Pécs and expressed appreciation for the latter’s engagement at the Pride event.
Officials in my Department, including at the Embassy in Budapest, will continue to monitor this and other worrying developments and to raise our concerns. We will also continue to support Hungarian civil society organisations working to defend the Rule of Law and protect minority rights in Hungary, including through my Department’s Enlargement and European Fundamental Values fund.
60. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade her diplomatic engagements to date in relation to the Gaza peace plan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [65875/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAchieving a just resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict continues to be a priority for Ireland. Ireland welcomes the Comprehensive Plan to end the Gaza conflict announced at the White House on 29 September and affirmed at the Sharm al-Sheikh summit on 13 October. We commend the efforts of the US, as well as Qatar, Türkiye and Egypt, to secure this agreement.
Our focus remains on preserving and solidifying the ceasefire. All parties must adhere to their commitments in full, desist from any actions inconsistent with what has been agreed, and continue to negotiate in good faith to ensure full implementation.
The people of Gaza have endured unimaginable suffering. Despite an increase in humanitarian aid entering Gaza since the ceasefire, Israeli authorities continue to severely restrict the nature and quantity of aid that is approved to enter. I raised this issue last week in Brussels at the first EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting that I attended as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, where I called on Israel to remove the impediments to entry and distribution of aid and facilitate an immediate scale up of aid access by the UN, including UNRWA.
I also attended the inaugural meeting of the Palestine Donor Group in Brussels alongside the Foreign Affairs Council where I met with the Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Mustafa and the Palestinian Minister for Finance Estephan Salameh to discuss the precarious fiscal situation of the Palestinian Authority.
Israel continues to take actions that severely hamper the functioning of Palestine’s economy and financial systems. At the meeting, I called on Israel to release the withheld tax revenues of an estimated $3 billion immediately and to adhere to its obligations under the Paris Protocol to ease the liquidity crisis facing the Palestinian Authority. Ireland has provided over €101 million in support to the people of Palestine since 2023.
