Written Answers Nos. 100-122
100. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if she has raised or will raise the case of a person (details supplied) with the Chinese Ambassador and with the Chinese authorities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22375/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland has repeatedly expressed our concerns about the human rights situation in Hong Kong, including this specific case.
Officials in the Consulate General of Ireland in Hong Kong have followed the case of Mr. Jimmy Lai closely, alongside our EU colleagues. Officials from my Department have also met with members of Mr. Lai’s international legal team on a number of occasions, including in recent weeks. While I have not yet had the opportunity to have a bilateral meeting with the Chinese Ambassador, Ireland regularly raises human rights issues, including Mr. Lai’s case, with Chinese interlocutors. Most recently, the Taoiseach raised Mr. Lai’s case directly with the senior Chinese leadership during his visit to China in January.
Ireland also regularly raises human rights issues in China at the UN. Ireland’s national statement at the ongoing 61st session of the UN Human Rights Council specifically reiterated our concerns on restrictions on the civic space in Hong Kong. Ireland also supported the EU’s statement that noted the repressive use of the National Security Law continues to undermine human rights and fundamental freedoms and calls for Mr. Lai's release, among other human rights defenders.
Following the sentencing of Mr. Lai on 9 February, in answer to a number of Parliamentary Questions, I echoed the call by the EU and others for Mr. Lai to be immediately released, especially in consideration of his advanced age and health condition.
As a previous EU statement in December 2025 noted, developments in the case are emblematic of the erosion of democracy and fundamental freedoms in Hong Kong. Ireland remains concerned that the introduction of the National Security Law in June 2020 and the subsequent legislation adopted in March 2023 are having a chilling effect the civic space and are a risk to Hong Kong’s high-degree autonomy of under the One Country, Two Systems principle.
102. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to provide an update on the content of the monthly briefings provided by the UN Secretariat to member states on the implementation of the UN80 Action Plan process of reform; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22792/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI very much welcomed the UN80 reform initiative launched by UN Secretary General Guterres in March 2025. As the Deputy is aware, the initiative is designed to be a system-wide process to reform the organisation across each of the three pillars of the UN: Peace and Security, Sustainable Development, and Human Rights. Ireland has stressed that reform cannot come at the cost of UN core values and that each of the three pillars should be protected.
It is also essential that the UN’s Members demonstrate the political will necessary to assist the UN Secretary General in this process, to enable the organisation to adapt and improve. With this objective, Ireland, through our Missions in New York, Geneva, and other UN centres, and also in cooperation with our partners in the EU, is actively engaging with the reform process across all three work-streams of the UN80 initiative.
On work-stream one, identifying efficiencies and improvements in the way the UN works, Under-Secretary General Guy Ryder, in his most recent briefing, noted substantive administrative updates which have taken place to date, including the centralisation of the UN’s joint payroll operations into three global centres.
In relation to work-stream two, on the implementation of mandates, my Department’s officials have been actively involved in this process since it began in September 2025. At present, our Permanent Mission to the UN in New York are engaged with the co-facilitators on three key issues in relation to the "lifecycle" of UN mandates: firstly, mandate review, secondly, the role of the Secretariat, and thirdly the Member State’s responsibilities.
Under Workstream three, examining structural changes and programme realignments including potential mergers, the UN Secretary-General has agreed to create a single consolidated report which will outline both the progress made to date and the decisions ahead. This report will be presented to UN Chief Executives Board for Coordination in May 2026, and afterwards to Member States at the General Assembly.
At all times, Ireland has sought to play an engaged, supportive and cooperative role in the process, and we will continue to do so.
103. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade for a report on the most recent meeting of the Government Trade Forum; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22523/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra112. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to set out the principal potential priority actions arising from the most recent meeting of the Government Trade Forum; the way in which these actions will inform Ireland’s trade policy direction over the coming period; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23020/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra136. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if she will report on her engagement with stakeholders in relation to international trade; her assessment of the impact of the current geopolitical situation in relation to this; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23047/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 103, 112 and 136 together.
I will take the questions of Deputies Peter Cleere, Naoise Ó Cearúil and James O’Connor together, relating as they do to the ongoing work of the Government Trade Forum, which I chair.
I meet regularly with stakeholders on international trade issues. The Government Trade Forum is the primary mechanism by which the Government engages with business and other relevant stakeholders on the latest developments in international trade. The information and real-time feedback received from the Members is extremely valuable.
The Government Trade Forum is one part of the comprehensive and deliberate approach we have taken as Government to ensure Ireland’s continued economic growth and resilience. This approach also includes the National Development Plan, Budget 2026 and the mutually supportive Action Plan on Market Diversification, and the Action Plan on Competitiveness and Productivity.
We take a proactive approach to reporting at the Government Trade Forum, therefore agendas and minutes of the Government Trade Forum are published promptly on the Digital Ireland House, ireland.ie. Deputies will also find the approved 2026 Work Plan for the Government Trade Forum and updates to progress on the Government Action Plan on Market Diversification on the same web page.
The 2026 Work Plan for the Government Trade Forum, adopted at our last meeting, sets out an active schedule of nine meetings during 2026. We have already held two of these meetings and Deputies will find minutes of the latest meeting, the 2nd of March 2026, on Ireland.ie. As Deputies will see in the Work Plan, I plan to maintain an intensity of engagement at the Trade Forum this year with our next meeting coming after Easter.
At the meeting of 2nd March, I was joined by the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance; the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation; the Minister for Agriculture, Food, Fisheries and the Marine; and the Minister of State for Trade Promotion, Artificial Intelligence and Digital alongside senior Officials from Government, CEOs of State Agencies and senior representatives from Irish business. This was the eleventh meeting of the Trade Forum since it was first established in February 2025.
The Forum reflected on the evolving EU-US trade relationship post the US Supreme Court decision on tariffs, the then emerging conflict in the Gulf and middle-East, and the opportunity to promote Irish trade and investment in the then forthcoming St Patrick’s Day Programme. I also updated the Forum on the first Implementation Progress Report on the Government Action Plan on Market Diversification. I encourage Deputies to look at that Report to see the range of activity underway across Government and across the globe to diversify markets to help manage economic risk.
The situation in the Gulf causes great concern to me as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, not only from an economic perspective. Our Embassies across the region and across the globe keep me very well-informed on developments. The global trading environment has become more difficult with the escalation of conflict in the Gulf and the middle-East. The economic effects and the heightened risk to Ireland’s prosperity are obviously matters that will be reflected too at the next meeting of the Government Trade Forum.
As a small, highly globalised economy, it is of the utmost importance that we continue to engage with business and other key stakeholders, to inform the approach we take in navigating this challenging, changing and often unpredictable landscape. Our approach at the Government Trade Forum, as set out in the 2026 Work Plan, allows us set a responsive strategic agenda.
The Forum has already had sectoral focuses on medtech, pharmaceuticals, aviation, agri-food, semiconductors and international financial services. I am keen to convene future Forum meetings focused on matters relating to our economic security, and important sectors such as Artificial Intelligence and Tourism.
104. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if she will quantify the impact of American foreign direct investment on the regional economy of Clare, Limerick and Tipperary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22548/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy's question is a matter for the Minister of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment.
106. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to provide an update on diplomatic efforts made by the State in response to legal persecution of LGBTQ+ persons in Senegal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22987/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra158. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if she has expressed or will express concern at the adoption of legislation in Senegal that seeks to further oppress members of the LGBT community; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22376/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 106 and 158 together.
The Government is very concerned by the recent adoption of legislation by the Senegalese Parliament imposing a maximum penalty of ten years imprisonment for same-sex relations and criminalising actions deemed to finance or promote LGBTIQ+ activities.
The promotion and protection of the rights of LGBTIQ+ persons is both a domestic and foreign policy priority for Ireland. We recognise that LGBTIQ+ persons continue to suffer disproportionate levels of violence and face systemic discrimination in many countries, and we are active in advocating for their rights. Ireland has made defending the rights of LGBTIQ+ persons one of our top priorities in the current campaign for election to the UN Human Rights Council.
The Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, Jack Chambers, T.D., visited Senegal last week as part of the Government’s St Patrick’s Day programme. He raised the Government's concerns on this issue directly with the Senegalese Minister of Economy, Planning and Cooperation and with the Minister of Youth and Sports. He also discussed the situation with the UN Resident Coordinator in Senegal.
The Government is concerned about the increasing hostility in Senegal towards LGBTIQ+ persons, which is part of a worrying global pushback on LGBTIQ+ rights in recent years. At the most recent Human Rights Council Universal Periodic Review of Senegal, in January 2024, Ireland raised LGBTIQ+ rights and expressed concern that Senegal had made no progress in revising laws to address the persecution of persons on the basis of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
Through our mission network and our international development programme, the Government supports civil society organisations and human rights defenders working to defend LGBTIQ+ rights. We will continue to prioritise the promotion and protection of the rights of LGBTIQ+ persons and to support partners working directly to promote human rights and accountability.
107. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position regarding the diplomatic mechanisms in place to support any Irish citizen that is detained in relation to their immigration status in the United States of America; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22372/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraProviding consular assistance to Irish citizens abroad is a cornerstone of the work of my department. Ensuring our citizens receive timely and empathetic support from our Embassies and Consulates worldwide is a priority for me in my role as Minister.
The assistance my Department provides on a deportation, like with any other case, will depend on the individual circumstances of that case.
Assistance can include, for example, facilitating communication between the citizen and their family, engaging with the relevant local and national authorities, undertaking consular visits, providing a list of lawyers, or sharing information on the deportation process with family members. This is not an exhaustive list and each case is considered on a case-by-case basis. Furthermore, my officials liaise regularly with US immigration authorities on active cases.
Ireland’s mission network in the United States maintains an active network of diplomatic, government, political, community, and legal contacts with whom it engages regularly on immigration matters.
I would also note that through our diplomatic network across the US, my Department also works closely with a number of partner organisations and immigration centres supporting Irish immigrants in the US in providing reliable, trust-worthy information and advice. These organisations are supported under the Government’s Emigrant Support Programme, which in 2025 provided over €4.5 million in funding to support Irish organisations across the United States, including those that work with citizens seeking to regularise their immigration status.
I want to reassure the Deputy that my officials stand ready to provide all possible consular assistance to Irish citizens who get into difficulty abroad.
108. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the engagement she has with Iraqi authorities on the return of an Irish resident (details supplied) to their family in Ireland from Iraq. [21551/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra117. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position regarding the return of an Irish resident (details supplied) to their family in Ireland from Iraq; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21550/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 108 and 117 together.
I thank the Deputy for her continued interest in this difficult and distressing case.
I and my officials continue to prioritise this matter in our contacts with the Iraqi Government. My officials remain in regular contact with the individual concerned and with his family. I want to reassure them that we are doing all we can to resolve the matter. We have continued to discuss this case with the Governments of both Iraq and Australia, and have also brought it up in other channels to try and amplify our message. Our message remains very clear: that the person in question must be allowed return to his family in Ireland.
It is unfortunate that the continuing process of forming a government in Iraq, and in particular now the war in the region since 28 February, which is having very serious side effects in Iraq, are making it more difficult to pursue the case. We plan to make a further appeal to the Iraqi authorities very shortly, focused in particular on the physical and mental health of the person, which are under great stress.
We will continue to try and press this case wherever we can.
109. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if Ireland has engaged with partner EU states, Poland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Finland regarding the withdrawal from the Ottawa treaty which outlaws anti-personnel mines; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22636/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am concerned by the withdrawal of States from the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention, also known as the Ottawa Convention, and for potential knock-on effects. My officials engaged with and directly expressed Ireland’s concerns with each of the States who have withdrawn from the Convention.
These withdrawals have come at a time when the global disarmament architecture is under severe strain. It is for that reason that Ireland proudly joined the UN Secretary-General’s six-month campaign to uphold humanitarian disarmament instruments and mine action in 2025.
It should be said that the decisions of States who have withdrawn from the Convention were not made in a vacuum and we recognise the context in which their decisions were made. States bordering Russia have witnessed up close and at first-hand, the lack of respect Russia shows for the borders of its neighbours, for international law, international humanitarian law and disarmament conventions.
These considerations were noted in the final report agreed by all States Parties to the Ottawa Convention at its twenty-second meeting in December 2025. At that meeting, Ireland called for States Parties to the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention to uphold their commitments and for those not party to join. This is something we will continue to do.
Ireland remains a consistent donor to mine action around the world at a time when funding to the sector is seeing significant and worrying cuts. Since 2006, we have contributed some €70 million to humanitarian demining activities alone in up to 20 countries.
111. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if she will outline the preparations being undertaken for Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22947/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland will hold the Presidency of the Council of the European Union for the eighth time from 1 July to 31 December 2026. The Presidency will be an opportunity for Ireland to play an important role in leading and shaping the EU’s policy and legislative agenda, and the Government has made a firm commitment to resource and deliver a successful Presidency in 2026.
Preparations for Ireland’s Presidency are well underway across both policy and operational strands of planning, led by my Department working closely with the Department of the Taoiseach, and with the active participation of all Departments across Government.
Significant progress has been made on the preparation of Ireland’s policy approach and on putting in place key practical and operational building blocks for the Presidency.
Work is ongoing to develop our Presidency priorities and policy programme. This is being prepared against the backdrop of the EU’s Strategic Agenda and is focusing on three broad thematic pillars, which reflect the pillars of the Strategic Agenda: competitiveness, values and security.
During the Presidency, we will host an extensive programme of meetings and events in Ireland. Work to put in place the key operational and logistical supports for this meetings programme, including an accreditation system, arrangements for interpretation, transport, catering and accommodation, is also now well advanced.
As we are now just over three months away from the start of the Presidency, planning in all areas continues to intensify in conjunction with all Government Departments and key agencies to ensure the successful delivery of the Presidency.
Our 2026 EU Presidency will be a major undertaking for Ireland and is a key focus for the work of Government. We have a proud record of success from our previous Presidency terms, and we are confident that with the support of our partners we will again be able to make a significant and positive contribution to the EU in 2026.
113. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade for a report on any recent new sanctions relating to Russia’s illegal occupation of Ukraine. [22517/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland supports strong sanctions in response to Russia’s illegal aggression in Ukraine.
The targeted sanctions adopted in response to Russia’s actions in Ukraine are the most expansive and hard-hitting sanctions in EU history.
I welcomed the unanimous decision taken on 14 March to extend the EU sanctions against individuals responsible for undermining the territorial integrity, sovereignty, and independence of Ukraine. There are now more than 2,700 individuals and entities subject to an asset freeze and travel ban under this regime.
At the Foreign Affairs Council on 16 March, the EU listed a further nine individuals who played a major role in the Bucha massacre which took place between February and March 2022.
An unprecedented range of sectoral restrictions against Russia have also been adopted, including measures targeting trade, finance, energy, technology, defense and maritime sectors.
Ireland welcomed the adoption of the 19th package of sanctions in October 2025 and strongly supports the measures proposed for the 20th package of sanctions, including to target the Shadow Fleet.
These sanctions are putting the Russian economy under serious strain and reducing its ability to finance its war effort.
During our Presidency later this year, we will continue to work with our EU partners to use sanctions to exert maximum pressure on Russia to end its illegal war of aggression in Ukraine.
114. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if she will provide an overview of diplomatic links that Ireland has with the Republic of Korea; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22547/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing the establishment of diplomatic relations between Ireland and the Republic of Korea in 1983, Ireland opened its Embassy in Seoul in 1989. The Republic of Korea opened its Embassy in Dublin in 1987. These are the key diplomatic links between the two countries.
Officials in my Department engage frequently with the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Ireland on a wide range of bilateral and multilateral issues. Likewise, Ireland's Ambassador and Embassy team in Seoul, including an officer seconded from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, interact regularly with Korean officials and Ministers, on the full range of Ireland's interests. Ireland's Embassy in Korea works closely with our State Agencies, with IDA and Enterprise Ireland colleagues being co-located with the Embassy in Ireland House Seoul.
Our countries' vibrant relationship is based on regular political engagement, both multilateral and bilateral, engagement around our shared values, strong people-to-people links, cultural exchange, and our strong trade and investment ties. Trade in goods between Ireland and the Republic of Korea was valued at €2.7 billion in 2024, with trade in services in 2024 amounting to €4.9 billion.
In recent years, our relations with the Republic of Korea have been further enhanced within the framework of my Department’s Asia Pacific Strategy. In 2023, the then-Taoiseach led a whole-of-Government trade mission to the Republic of Korea, including a number of cabinet Ministers. Three Irish Ministers visited the Republic of Korea in 2025. Most recently, the visit of my colleague, Minister of State Seán Canney, to the Republic of Korea to mark St. Patrick’s Day this year, served to further strengthen Ireland's long standing relationship with the Republic of Korea.
My Department remains committed to further deepening and strengthening the already strong bilateral ties between Ireland and the Republic of Korea.
115. Deputy Tony McCormack asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the actions being taken to support Irish exporters facing increased global trade uncertainty; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22514/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy's question is a matter for the Minister of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment.
116. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position regarding the action her Department has taken to date to ensure Ireland’s trade relationship with Middle Eastern regions has continued and stabilised since the start of the war in Iran; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22373/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraBeyond the political, security, consular and humanitarian consequences, the Government is carefully monitoring the overall economic impact of the current Gulf crisis. This conflict is the latest in a series of geopolitical and geo-economic events that has had the overall impact of heightening uncertainty.
The primary economic impact of the conflict so far has been the sudden and large scale interruption to oil and natural gas shipments from the Gulf region, which includes some of the world’s major producers. This has produced sharp rises in prices which potentially affect every country, and may also affect supplies of fertilizers and petrochemicals.
There has been some disruption to general trade due to reductions in flights and unavailability of the Gulf ports, but commercial flights have in many case now resumed, albeit with some disruptions, and there are ports still free outside the immediate conflict zone. Ireland does little trade with Iran at present.
I convened the Government Trade Forum on 2 March and developments in the region were discussed. While our primary focus has been on assisting Irish citizens we have in parallel been carefully following the potential economic and trade impacts that may arise from the instability in the region. Even now, it is too soon to be certain what this conflict will mean for Ireland’s exports to the region itself, which are significant. However our Local Market Team, supported by the Headquarters Market Team and its component parts, are working to minimise trade disruption and continue to support Irish exporters to the region.
The most important factor for our long term trade relations in the area will be the duration of the conflict. My focus therefore, in concert with our European partners, has been to try and work for de-escalation and an end to the crisis. This has been a key theme in my many conversations with Foreign Ministers across the region since 28 February and in my engagement with EU counterparts.
118. Deputy Sinéad Gibney asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Ireland’s policy on the defence of the protections within the European Convention on Human Rights, particularly on the Article 3 and Article 8 protections of the ECHR which were the subject of a letter signed by Ireland in December; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22944/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland’s support for the European Convention on Human Rights and the role of the European Court of Human Rights as essential elements of the architecture of the rule of law in Europe is longstanding.
At an informal meeting of Justice Ministers of the Council of Europe on 10 December 2025, 27 Member States, including Ireland, aligned with the joint statement referenced in the question. This joint statement reflects shared concerns among member states about ensuring a fair and effective migration system, while fully respecting the integrity of the Convention.
The Government believes that it is important to acknowledge the concerns of Member States of the Council of Europe in relation to ensuring the integrity of the Convention, including Articles 3 and 8, while addressing the complex challenges posed by migration management.
Article 3 of the Convention provides that no one shall be subjected to torture or to inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. This prohibition is absolute and permits no derogation. Article 8, paragraph one of the Convention provides that everyone has the right to respect for their private and family life, their home and correspondence. Article 8, paragraph two provides that there shall be no interference by a public authority with the exercise of this right except such as is in accordance with the law and is necessary in a democratic society in the interests of national security, public safety or the economic well-being of the country, for the prevention of disorder or crime, for the protection of health or morals, or for the protection of the rights and freedoms of others.
A process to draft a political declaration reaffirming the obligation to ensure the effective enjoyment of the rights and freedoms guaranteed by the Convention to everyone within the jurisdiction of member States in the context of the contemporary challenges posed both by irregular migration and by the situation of foreigners convicted of serious offences, taking duly into account in particular governments’ fundamental responsibility to ensure national security and public safety, is currently underway in the Council of Europe. This political declaration is envisioned to be adopted by the Committee of Ministers in May. Ireland is following developments and engaging constructively with other Member States of the Council of Europe with a view to achieving a consensus around a political declaration fully consistent with and respectful of the Convention.
We remain committed to maintaining and upholding the Convention, including on the island of Ireland as a core safeguard of the Good Friday Agreement, and respecting the vital work of the Court in its efforts to uphold fundamental rights and protections across Europe.
121. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of passports that have been issued to Tipperary residents to date in 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22521/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraTo date in 2026, the Passport Service has issued more than 224,000 passports. The Passport Service is responding well to demand as we face into our busy summer period.
To date in 2026, there have been 2,243 passports issued to applicants who are resident in County Tipperary.
In 2025, the Passport Service issued 18,104 passports to applicants who are resident in County Tipperary, out of a total 933,121 passport issued worldwide.
I ask the Deputy to encourage their constituents to apply for their passports through Passport Online, as it is the quickest, easiest and most cost effective way. Passport Online allows citizens to apply for their passport 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and is available to 100% of all applicants worldwide.
In particular, those who are travelling this year, especially families with young children who require their first passport, should apply online and in plenty of time. The Passport Service advises citizens to ensure their passports are valid before booking holidays and travel.
For citizens who need to renew their passport urgently, the Passport Service offers an Urgent Appointment service at the public offices in Dublin and Cork. Citizens can renew their passport within one day or four days at the Dublin Passport Office or within four days at the Cork Passport Office.
122. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the measures she intends to take to nullify the effect within the State of foreign sanctions targeting judges of international courts or special rapporteurs of the United Nations, including by use of the Blocking Statute of the European Union; if she intends to seek use of the Blocking Statute at EU level; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22305/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland is a strong supporter of the International legal order and the international organisations and tribunals that support it. The Government is very concerned about the rising level of threats to these institutions, and in particular, to the International Criminal Court (ICC), which is the cornerstone of the international system of criminal justice.
Ireland deeply regrets the imposition of US sanctions against eleven ICC elected officials and those who engage with the Court, including a UN Special Rapporteur. We also condemn the baseless criminal prosecutions and convictions of nine ICC elected officials by Russia. Such measures threaten to corrode the international legal order on which all states – but particularly small states like Ireland – depend. We call for all coercive measures against the ICC and UN officials to be withdrawn and for the Court to be allowed to continue its important independent and impartial work.
Ireland has been actively engaged with fellow EU Member States and the European Commission on how to best respond to the imposition of US sanctions and the Government believes that a coordinated EU response is the most effective way to protect the Court and its officials. We believe that at this time the best approach is to support the ICC in building resilience and encouraging service providers to continue to engage with the Court.
Ireland has called on the Commission to commence preparatory work on amending the Blocking Statute so that it can be quickly activated at the most appropriate time, having regard in particular to when its activation will have the greatest impact in terms of the defending the Court and ensuring continuity of its activities.
We will continue to engage with the Court, relevant stakeholders and our international partners on how we can best support the ICC and assist it in fulfilling its mandate to end impunity.
