Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 January 2026
235. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the measures her Department is taking with respect to ongoing violence in Sudan and in particular, to protect civilians; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [74365/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government remains deeply concerned by the conflict in Sudan, which has led to the world’s worst humanitarian crisis. Since the outbreak of the war, Ireland has consistently emphasised the need to protect civilians and maintain humanitarian access, drawing attention to the levels of acute hunger and famine, large-scale displacement, and the impact of the conflict on women and girls.
Ireland has condemned the targeting of civilians by both parties to the conflict, the atrocities committed by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in El-Fasher and the escalating violence in North Darfur and the Kordofans. These actions are unconscionable and must stop.
All parties to the conflict are obstructing aid and conducting attacks on aid convoys, resulting in untold suffering for the civilian population. Last year, I joined a statement by 30 countries condemning attacks on aid convoys in June and an Australian-led declaration on the protection of humanitarian workers at the UN General Assembly in New York in September.
We have consistently worked to ensure that Sudan remains on the international agenda, notably at the EU Foreign Affairs Council, the UN General Assembly and the Human Rights Council. We ensured Sudan was discussed at the November Foreign Affairs Council underlining the immediate need to protect civilians. We emphasised the urgent necessity for safe passage for those fleeing violence and the protection of women and girls, in view of the grave risk of sexual and gender-based violence. Ireland has continued to support the efforts of the EU Special Representative for the Horn of Africa, including her work to protect critical infrastructure. Ireland has also taken a leading role within the EU on the establishment of the EU sanctions regime.
Ireland successfully pressed for the adoption of a resolution on the situation in El Fasher at a Special Session of the Human Rights Council on 14 November 2025. The resolution requests the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission for Sudan to conduct an urgent inquiry into the violations and abuses of international human rights and humanitarian law committed in and around El Fasher.
The Government is also providing vital humanitarian assistance. In 2025, we provided €14.3 million in humanitarian assistance to support people most in need in Sudan and those displaced in neighbouring countries. This assistance is channelled through trusted UN, Red Cross, Irish NGO and local partners. We are committed to further increasing our funding in 2026.
