Written Answers Nos. 219-230
219. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of exemptions for foreign military aircraft to pass through Ireland that were refused in 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14455/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the terms of the Air Navigation (Foreign Military Aircraft) Order, 1952, all foreign military aircraft wishing to overfly, or land in, the State require diplomatic clearance from the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Diplomatic clearance is subject to strict conditions, including that the aircraft is unarmed, that it carries no arms, ammunition or explosives, that it does not engage in intelligence gathering, and that the flight in question does not form part of a military exercise or operation. The policy of diplomatic clearance is well known and fully understood by international partners, and is done in full compliance with Ireland’s policy of military neutrality.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade publishes monthly statistics in relation to overflights and landings of foreign military and state aircraft on the gov.ie website. No requests for diplomatic clearance for overflights or landings by foreign military or state aircraft were refused in 2025.
220. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if the cases lodged with the General Court (T-907/25 and T-908/25) regarding the council decision amending the EU-Morocco Association Agreement concerning Western Sahara and the labelling of good originating in Western Sahara has influenced the Government's position in the ongoing council process on this agreement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14456/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 4 October 2024, the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) upheld an earlier ruling of the General Court annulling the Council Decision on the conclusion of a 2018 Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters between the European Union and the Kingdom of Morocco. The 2018 Agreement sought to extend tariff preferences laid down in an EU-Morocco Association Agreement to products originating in Western Sahara. The Court set a deadline of 4 October 2025, in that it maintained the effects of the Council Decision until that date. The Commission thus worked to negotiate a new agreement between the EU and Morocco by that date.
The EU and Morocco signed a new Agreement on 3 October 2025 and its provisional application began.
On 2 October 2025, Ireland voted in favour of the Council Decision via written procedure, indicating that Ireland would not stand in the way of EU consensus and in order to ensure that the EU complied with its legal obligations. However Ireland also registered procedural and substantive concerns about the Commission’s handling of this process.
Ireland made clear that we expect to receive regular updates from the Commission on key issues as the agreement is implemented.
Ireland’s engagement on this issue, was at all times guided by the Grand Chamber judgment of the CJEU. All of our efforts during this process were aimed at ensuring that the Agreement met the conditions set out by the Court.
The process towards adoption of a Council Decision on the conclusion on behalf of the EU of the new Agreement with Morocco has not yet reached its conclusion; the next step requires the consent of the European Parliament. Ireland has continued to follow up with the EU Institutions with regard to an expected date for this next step. We have not yet received an update in this regard.
Throughout the process, Ireland has made clear our view that the compatibility of the agreement with the fundamental principle in international law of the right of peoples to self-determination should be paramount in the implementation of this agreement.
221. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when last the Cross-Departmental International Sanctions Committee, chaired by her Department, discussed imposing sanctions on Israel; and to summarise any outcome of that discussion. [14479/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland implements EU and UN sanctions. Sanctions are an important tool to promote the objectives of the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) in response to breaches of international law including international humanitarian law and human rights.
The Cross-Departmental International Sanctions Committee (“CDISC”) monitors, reviews, and coordinates the implementation, administration and exchange of information on EU and UN sanctions in Ireland.
CDISC is chaired by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and comprises officials from the various Departments and agencies that are responsible for Ireland's sanctions policy and domestic implementation.
In relation to Israel, 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.
222. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when last the National Committee on International Humanitarian Law, chaired by her Department, discussed International Humanitarian Law in Israel; and to summarise the outcome of that discussion. [14480/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland’s National Committee on International Humanitarian Law (IHL) was established by the Government in 2008 as a means of promoting wider knowledge of IHL across Government. It is chaired by a senior official in my Department and meets at least once a year.
At its most recent meeting in December, officials in my Department briefed the Committee on recent developments on a number of IHL issues. These included the recent Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice on the Obligations of Israel in relation to the Presence and Activities of the United Nations, other international organisations and third states in and in relation to the Occupied Palestinian Territory, and on Ireland’s participation in the related legal proceedings.
223. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when last the Government Trade Forum, chaired by her Department, discussed trade with Israel; and to summarise the outcome of that discussion. [14481/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, I chair the Government Trade Forum. The Trade Forum is the primary mechanism by which Government engages with industry and other key stakeholders regarding latest developments in international trade. Since its establishment in February 2025, the Forum has met ten times amidst ongoing uncertainties in the global trading environment. The information and real-time feedback received from the Members has been extremely valuable in informing Government’s approach.
Updates are provided at the Forum regarding important developments affecting Ireland’s trading relationships, including, for example, EU-US trade and tariffs, EU free trade agreements, and political meetings regarding these matters.
The Forum is an integral component in the Government’s comprehensive and deliberate approach to ensure Ireland’s continued economic growth and resilience. Another element is the Action Plan on Market Diversification. An early decision of the Trade Forum was to approve of the development of this Action Plan, which the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment published in August 2025. The Action Plan sets out over 100 actions to be delivered, on a whole-of-government basis, in support of Ireland’s businesses as they adapt to new trading environments, striking out into new and diverse markets and deepening engagement in existing markets. Progress in the Action Plan’s implementation will be kept under review by the Trade Forum.
Sectoral discussions have also been held, including regarding pharmaceuticals, medtech, semiconductors, aviation, agri-food and international financial services. Since its establishment, Ireland’s trade with Israel has not been on the agenda of any meeting of the Trade Forum, nor has this matter been a focus of discussion. I would draw Deputies’ attention to the Digital Ireland House, Ireland.ie, where all agendas, minutes and other relevant documents pertaining to meetings of the Government Trade Forum are published.
224. Deputy Tony McCormack asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade her plans to introduce a local participation mechanism in Ireland's defence procurement process to ensure Irish SMEs are included; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14526/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe subject of this question is a matter for the Department of Defence. The Department of Defence has agreed to answer this question. However, owing to an administrative error, the PQ was assigned to the incorrect department. The Questions Office will reassign this PQ to the Department of Defence for answer in the coming days.
225. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of Irish citizens living in illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank; whether the Irish Government engages with them; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14798/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraIrish citizens living overseas are not obliged to register their details with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. It is therefore not possible to specify the number of Irish citizens living in illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank.
226. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the breakdown of Irish funded infrastructure destroyed by Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territories in each of the years 2020 to date, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14800/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is seriously concerned at the damage to civilian infrastructure in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. The World Bank estimates the cost of the reconstruction of Gaza at $71.5 billion, with $16.7 billion needed to restore critical services.
We are very concerned at the deteriorating situation in the West Bank and the recent Israeli Security Cabinet decisions to expand Israeli control over the West Bank. Ireland has joined 84 other UN members to jointly condemn the measures, which contravene international law.
Our support for public infrastructure in Palestine is almost exclusively in partnership with other donors. This includes support to the Palestinian Authority’s Ministry of Education, the West Bank Protection Consortium, and core funding to UNRWA. As such, it is not feasible to isolate all of our contribution to specific infrastructure delivered or maintained through these schemes.
Ireland contributes €3 million annually through a joint donor scheme to the Palestinian Authority's Department of Education. This includes support to school buildings in the West Bank. Reports indicate that 74 schools in the West Bank were damaged in 2025 and 78 schools placed under demolition orders.
The Government has provided €68 million in core funding to UNRWA since 2023, and €93 million since 2020. In January 2026, Israeli forces demolished the UNRWA headquarters compound in East Jerusalem. In Gaza, 312 of UNRWA's facilities have been damaged or destroyed.
Ireland has also supported the Palestinian Water Authority to develop the €45 million North Gaza Emergency Sewage Treatment plant. We committed to providing €8 million and had provided €6 million by the end of 2022. Construction of the plant was well advanced, but, following the conflict since October 2023, its current condition is not known in any detail. Some of the balance of the funding due for the scheme has been used to support ongoing emergency water system repairs in Gaza.
Since 2020, Ireland has provided €2 million to the West Bank Protection Consortium to support prevention of forced displacement. In 2025, donor-funded infrastructure schemes worth just under €1 million were affected by demolitions, confiscations, settler violence or forced abandonment. The equivalent figure for damage in 2024 was just under €550,000. On 6 February 2026, Ireland and partners submitted our latest compensation request to the Israeli authorities. The total compensation demand for all documented confiscated and/or demolished property, funded by the consortium of donors since 2015, is now €1.7 million.
Ireland also funds micro solar and water systems infrastructure in the West Bank with an overall investment of €505,147 since 2015. In July 2025, our partner, Comet-ME reported that damage to energy and water components funded by Ireland, as a result of violent settler activity and demolitions, amounted to some €23,000.
The Government will continue to call for an end to demolitions and compensation for damage to infrastructure, and for full respect for International Humanitarian Law.
227. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to provide an update on a passport application (details supplied) given the applicants travel date is imminent; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15008/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraWith regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, supporting documents for this application were received on 29 January 2026. The processing time for a first time passport application is 20 working days. This application is within the turnaround time and has not yet reached its issue-by date.
228. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if she will consider opening a permanent consulate in Montreal, Canada. [15109/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraStrengthening Ireland’s bilateral relationship with Canada is a priority for this Government.
Under the Government’s Global Ireland Strategy, we have significantly expanded our diplomatic presence in Canada. Two new Consulates General were opened in Vancouver in 2018 and in Toronto in 2022. A new Embassy chancery in Ottawa was officially opened by An Taoiseach, Micheál Martin, in September 2025. Plans are also underway to open a new flagship Ireland House in Toronto, providing an enhanced platform to increase our engagement in the region.
Ireland’s Honorary Consul network has also expanded, which now includes Quebec, Calgary, St Johns, Edmonton and Halifax. The Honorary Consul in Quebec City engages on Ireland's behalf with the Province of Quebec. Enterprise Ireland, IDA and Tourism Ireland have offices in Toronto, while Enterprise Ireland also has an office in Montréal.
While there are no current plans to open a consulate in Montréal, a dedicated Francophone Officer was appointed in the Embassy in 2025 to advance Ireland's outreach and engagement in Quebec.
Work will begin shortly on the new Global Ireland 2040 Strategy, which is being led by the Department of the Taoiseach. The new strategy will focus on enhancing Ireland's international influence and further strengthening Ireland's place in the world. Decisions on new missions will be considered within the framework of this strategy.
229. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of cyberattacks on Irish embassies and consulates during 2025; the nature of these attacks. [15110/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department deploys robust defences against cyberattacks in line with advice and guidance provided by the National Cyber Security Centre.
For reasons of operational and national security it is not appropriate to disclose details of my Department’s Cyber Security arrangements.
