Foreign Policy

Tuesday, 24 February 2026

Ceisteanna (214, 215, 230)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Ceist:

214. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if the Government was consulted, through the Foreign Affairs Council or otherwise, by the European Commission in advance of its announced participation in the so-called Board of Peace meeting on 19 February 2026; if she is concerned by the participation of the European Commission in an initiative which includes wanted war criminal Benjamin Netanyahu and which was described as an effort to ‘undermine, replace, usurp the United Nations’; her views on whether the European Commission is undermining the United Nations or granting legitimacy to associated war criminals by taking part; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14195/26]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Ceist:

215. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if it is the Government’s position that the institutional balance enshrined in the EU treaties envisages members of the European Commission other than the High Representative of the Union on Foreign Affairs and Security Policy speaking on behalf of the European Union and Ireland on matters of foreign affairs and security policy, as appears to be the intent of Commissioner Šuica’s attendance at the so-called Board of Peace meeting on 19 February 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14196/26]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Malcolm Byrne

Ceist:

230. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Ireland's approach to the Board of Peace as established by US President Donald Trump. [15112/26]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

I propose to take Questions Nos. 214, 215 and 230 together.

The Board of Peace held its first meeting on 19 February in Washington DC. 48 countries were in attendance, with many taking part as observers. To date, two EU Member States have signed the Charter of the Board as sitting members: Hungary and Bulgaria.

Ireland has not signed up to membership of the Board of Peace and does not have plans to do so. As stated by President António Costa after the informal European Council meeting in January, the EU remains ready to work with the US on implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Plan for Gaza, in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 2803, and all relevant UN resolutions. Ireland supports this position.

The coordination of international efforts to advance the reconstruction of Gaza was a key theme for the inaugural meeting. In this context, EU Commissioner for the Mediterranean Šuica, along with EU Special Representative for the Middle East Peace Process Christophe Bigot, who acts under the authority of the High Representative/Vice President, attended the meeting in an observer capacity. The Commissioner’s attendance was not formally discussed with Member States in advance of the decision to attend. In addition to Hungary and Bulgaria, 12 other EU Member States also attended this meeting in observer capacity, including: Romania, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Italy, Greece, Croatia, Poland, Germany, the Netherlands, Finland, and Austria.

Ireland’s position, which aligns with the EU position, continues to be guided by our firm commitment to the United Nations, the primacy of the UN Charter, and our belief in the unique mandate of the UN to maintain international peace and security.

Question No. 215 answered with Question No. 214.