Grace Boland
Ceist:54. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to provide an update on the UN80 reform process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37312/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnited Nations
Ceisteanna (54)
Freagraí scríofa
The UN80 reform initiative, which was launched by Secretary General Guterres in March 2025, is a system-wide process to reform each of the three pillars of the UN: Peace and Security, Sustainable Development, and Human Rights.
Ireland is strongly supportive of reform of the UN with a view to making the organisation more effective and efficiency in the delivery of its essential roles. A reinvigorated UN is needed to effectively address the grave challenges facing the world today including poverty, climate change, a growing disregard for international law and threats to democracy and human rights.
Ireland continues to stress that reform cannot, however, come at the cost of UN core values and that each of the three pillars of Peace and Security, Sustainable Development, and Human Rights should be protected.
Ireland believes that it is essential that the UN’s Members demonstrate the political will necessary to assist the UN Secretary General in the reform 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, continues to actively engage 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, a number of substantive administrative updates are underway or completed, including the centralisation of global payroll into three locations, the streamlining of 240 regional centres, and the creation of joint knowledge hubs to further reduce duplication and strengthen coherence.
In relation to work-stream two on mandate implementation, Ireland is actively involved in this process via the Working Group on Mandate Implementation Review. At present, action plans to enhance support for mandate creation, including improved capacity and information on budget implications, are being prepared by the UN Secretariat to a June deadline; and a public-facing platform to improve visibility across mandating organs is to be initiated by the end of May, with a deadline for full roll-out by September.
Under Workstream three, examining structural changes and programme realignments (including potential mergers), the UN Secretary-General is preparing a single consolidated report which will outline both the progress made to date and the decisions ahead; this report is expected in June.
At all times, Ireland has sought to play an engaged, supportive and cooperative role in the reform process and we will continue to do so.
Question No. 55 answered with Question No. 9.
Question No. 56 answered with Question No. 29.
Trade Promotion
Ceisteanna (57)
Edward Timmins
Ceist:57. Deputy Edward Timmins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the measures being taken to expand trade with our EU partners; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38395/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, I strongly support an ambitious European trade agenda that reflects a rules-based multilateral trading system, with World Trade Organisation (WTO) values at its core. This includes concluding open negotiations for both Free Trade Agreements (FTA) and Investment Protection Agreements (IPA) with reliable partners; and expanding the suite of EU FTAs to new territories.
However, I am also committed to growing trade within the Single Market. EU partners often provide one of the first markets to which Irish companies export and where they can grow their businesses. However, our Single Market remains a work in progress with the IMF estimating that internal barriers to trade in the Single Market amount to the equivalent of tariffs of 40% on goods and 110% on services. Ireland is committed to the further strengthening and deepening of the Single Market, particularly in services, through the new Single Market Strategy and through application of rigorous competition policy and robust state aid rules.
Strengthening the Single Market will be an important priority during Ireland's EU Presidency in the second half of this year. Our work in this area will also be guided by the newly agreed "One Europe, One Market Roadmap".
Finally I would also highlight that the development of deeper trade and investment relations is also prioritised in our bilateral relations with all EU partners as well as in the Global Ireland strategies, which are in place with France, with Germany and with the countries in the Nordic Baltic region. In visiting to EU capitals, I always seek to include a business engagement in order to better understand the activities of Irish companies and how we, as Government, can best support them. I was pleased to meet with a range of Irish companies in Warsaw last month and I will do the same on a visit to Rome later this month.
Trade Sanctions
Ceisteanna (58, 69)
Erin McGreehan
Ceist:58. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the action she is taking at EU level to sanction Israel; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37943/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra
Paul Murphy
Ceist:69. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if she will impose sanctions on the state of Israel; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38329/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 58 and 69 together.
Ireland is deeply concerned by the sharply deteriorating situation in the West Bank, in particular the massive expansion of settlements and rampant and escalating settler violence, which continues in an atmosphere of impunity. In recent weeks, the Israeli Security Cabinet has approved 34 new West Bank settlements. This is the largest number of settlements approved by any government at one time. The E1 settlement near Jerusalem threatens to cut the West Bank in half, calling into question the viability of the two-State solution.
I have also condemned the law passed by the Israeli parliament to expand the scope of the death penalty and revive its implementation in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory. Ireland is particularly concerned about the discriminatory nature of the Bill as it relates to Palestinians.
A key pillar of Ireland’s foreign policy is our strong commitment to international law and our promotion of respect for international law. Israeli actions consistently contravene international law and are part of an established pattern to create a new status quo in Palestine.
At the EU level, the Government has been vocal in its support for sanctions against violent settlers and those who enable them. Ireland has strongly supported the sanctions adopted by the EU against both individuals and entities involved in settler violence.
I welcome the political agreement at the May Foreign Affairs Council last week on a package of sanctions against violent Israeli settlers and entities, as well as leading Hamas figures, under the EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime. This is an important step.
At the same meeting, I again called on the EU to suspend the EU-Israel Association Agreement, or at a minimum to suspend the trade elements of the Agreement as previously proposed by the European Commission.
Ireland also requested that the Commission bring forward a proposal to prohibit trade with Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory on the basis of the EU’s Common Commercial Policy, for decision at the June Foreign Affairs Council. A ban on trade with settlements at the EU level would have a significant impact and is necessary to ensure that the EU is compliant with its obligations under international law, as clarified by the July 2024 Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice. The Government will continue to press for this step, working with like-minded partners in the EU.
Political and economic security in the West Bank is central to its stability and to the security of the wider region, as well as being an essential component to the viability of the two-State solution. Ireland stands ready to play our part in working towards a sustainable peace between Israelis and Palestinians through the implementation of the two-State solution. Together with many of my EU counterparts, I have stressed the need to ensure that the concept of a two-State solution resulting in a viable, contiguous Palestinian State in Gaza and the West Bank including East Jerusalem, remains front and centre in the EU's approach, and that a durable peace plan is conducive to its implementation.
Question No. 59 answered with Question No. 41.
Question No. 60 answered with Question No. 29.
Trade Promotion
Ceisteanna (61)
Tony McCormack
Ceist:61. Deputy Tony McCormack asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the actions she is taking to prioritise economic competitiveness in the EU, strengthen the Single Market, advance simplification and support an ambitious EU trade agenda, promoting new free trade agreements, with appropriate assurances regarding sustainable development, human rights and the advancement of our economic interests; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37789/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Government strongly supports the EU’s competitiveness agenda, and competitiveness will feature prominently as a core theme throughout our upcoming EU Presidency.
Ireland's experience of Europe’s Single Market as an engine for transformational economic growth has shaped our approach to EU policy-making. We want to bring that positive experience to bear during our Council Presidency term.
We will take forward work on the recently published One Europe, One Market Roadmap, which sets out ambitious timelines and deadlines for the agreement of proposals under our Presidency. The goals are grouped under 5 key pillars of competitiveness: Simplifying rules, a strengthened internal market, championing strong trade, reducing energy prices and decarbonising and driving the digital and AI transformation.
This roadmap will be vital to boosting European competitiveness and building our economic resilience. We will spare no effort in advancing this work, and we will rely on the commitment of all other Member States and the European Parliament to achieve these goals.
Simplification is a core part of the Roadmap, and a key enabler of Europe’s wider competitiveness agenda. Both the Letta and Draghi reports underlined the need to reduce the regulatory and administrative burden on EU companies, particularly SMEs.
The European Commission put forward ten simplification Omnibus packages in 2025. Each package usually contains several legislative proposals relevant to multiple Government Departments. My Department has been coordinating Ireland’s approach across Government to these packages, and we will take forward an ambitious simplification agenda during our Presidency. Simplification has to be about better regulation, not deregulation. We need to focus on reducing the regulatory burden, while maintaining high ambition in terms of consumer and environmental protections and other standards.
Ireland plays an active role in shaping trade policy, which is an exclusive competence of the European Commission. I will continue to actively represent Ireland’s trade priorities in the Council of the EU, including at the Foreign Affairs Council on Trade this Friday.
By acting together with EU partners, Ireland benefits from increased negotiating power, and I support an ambitious programme of EU negotiations with Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand and the UAE.
My Department will prioritise the opening of these new markets to support the interests of Irish and EU businesses and market diversification, economic resilience and European competitiveness, and to strengthen the multilateral, rules-based trading system with the World Trade Organization at its core.
Ireland also supports the efforts of the EU to promote values-based trade, linking trade to sustainability issues such as climate change, labour standards and human rights. EU Free Trade Agreements provide the opportunity to set high levels of standards and commitments between trade partners through dedicated Chapters on Trade and Sustainable Development (TSD).
Middle East
Ceisteanna (62)
Paul McAuliffe
Ceist:62. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade her views on the situation in the West Bank and the recent measures adopted by the Israeli Government; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38024/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Ireland remains focused on the situation in Palestine, including in the West Bank. Unprecedented Israeli military operations have caused widespread displacement and destruction of civilian infrastructure and homes.
I am deeply concerned by the sharply deteriorating situation in the West Bank, in particular the massive expansion of settlements and rampant and escalating settler violence, which continues in an atmosphere of impunity.
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 longstanding position of the European Union. Ireland has repeatedly called on Israel to immediately halt these activities.
Ireland has strongly supported the sanctions adopted by the EU against both individuals and entities involved in settler violence. At the Foreign Affairs Council last week, EU Member States were able for the first time to reach a political agreement to sanction Israeli extremist settlers and entities. This is an important step forward.
I have consistently expressed my deep concern regarding the decisions taken by the Israeli Security Cabinet to expand Israeli administrative control over the West Bank. These measures contravene international law and are part of an established pattern to create a new status quo in Palestine.
I condemned the law passed by the Israeli parliament to expand the scope of the death penalty and revive its implementation in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory. I underlined my particular concerns about the discriminatory nature of the Bill as it relates to Palestinians. Ireland urges Israel to withdraw the death penalty law and to maintain the longstanding de facto moratorium on executions and capital punishment sentencing with a view to abolishing the death penalty entirely.
Ireland is continuing to press for appropriate action in response to egregious Israeli breaches of human rights and democratic principles. I welcomed political agreement at the May Foreign Affairs Council on a package of sanctions against violent Israeli settlers and entities, as well as leading Hamas figures, under the EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime. I once again called on the EU to suspend the EU-Israel Association Agreement, or at a minimum to suspend the trade elements of the Agreement as previously proposed by the European Commission. I also requested that the Commission bring forward a proposal to prohibit trade with Israeli settlements in the oPt on the basis of the EU’s Common Commercial Policy, for decision at the June Foreign Affairs Council.
Departmental Strategies
Ceisteanna (63)
Naoise Ó Cearúil
Ceist:63. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the priority areas within the European agenda that Ireland intends to shape or contribute to most actively during the 2026 to 2029 period, as outlined in the Statement of Strategy; the way in which her Department plans to enhance Ireland's influence within EU decision-making structures; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38357/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Ireland will hold the Presidency of the Council of the European Union from 1 July to 31 December 2026. This will be an opportunity for Ireland to play an important role in leading and shaping the EU’s policy and legislative agenda. It will also give us a unique opportunity to enhance Ireland’s influence in the EU’s decision making structures, not just over the six months of the Presidency but into the long term.
We are focused on delivering a successful presidency shaped around the thematic pillars of competitiveness, values and security, which reflect the pillars of the EU’s Strategic Agenda 2024-2029. We have a proud record of success from our previous Presidencies, and I am confident that, with the support of our partners, we will again be able to make a significant and positive contribution to the EU through our Presidency.
As Presidency, we will have a significant role in shaping key EU policies, leading negotiations on the new European Budget, prioritising economic competitiveness, strengthening the single market, advancing simplification, supporting an ambitious EU trade agenda, working to strengthen rule of law, promoting a positive EU enlargement strategy, contributing to a productive and ambitious EU-UK relationship.
We will support the strengthening of the EU’s role as a principled global actor, advancing the EU’s leadership role in promoting multilateral cooperation and respect for international law, human rights, and the EU’s efforts to promote peace and stability globally. Advancing the EU’s unwavering support for Ukraine in the face of Russia’s illegal war of aggression will remain a defining priority, and we will actively engage in support of lasting peace and security in the Middle East.
In response to the deterioration in the international security environment, Ireland will take forward the EU’s security and defence agenda, which seeks to strengthen international security and bolster Member States’ defence readiness capabilities, reflecting the priorities of the Union, while acknowledging the specific character of Ireland’s own security and defence policy.
The experience of the Presidency will significantly enhance our expertise and networks at EU level, which will further strengthen our ability to continue to lead and shape the EU agenda in a way that is reflective of Irish values and interests well beyond 2026.
Building on the whole-of-government A Career for EU strategy, we will continue to deliver on plans to increase the number of Irish people applying for and securing positions in the EU in order to further expand our presence and influence in the EU institutions.
Deepening our influence and relationships with European partners will also be a central focus of our work, including through the implementation of the Joint Strategic Framework with France, the Joint Action Plan with Germany, and the Nordic-Baltic Strategy.
Sports Events
Ceisteanna (64)
Thomas Gould
Ceist:64. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if she has attended any meetings to discuss the Israeli-Ireland soccer match. [38214/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
National governing bodies of sport and international sporting federations, including the Football Association of Ireland (FAI), are independent, autonomous bodies responsible for the governance of their own sports, including the organisation of sporting fixtures.
The Government and Sport Ireland have no role in determining or supporting the organisation of such fixtures. I have not had meetings to discuss Israel-Ireland soccer matches.
The Government respects the decision made by the FAI and will not be calling for a boycott of the upcoming matches between Ireland and Israel.
Middle East
Ceisteanna (65)
Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh
Ceist:65. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the actions she is planning in international forums to oppose recently enacted legislation in Israel sanctioning the death penalty in military courts, effectively targeting Palestinian people; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26967/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Ireland condemns the law passed by the Israeli parliament to expand the scope of the death penalty and revive its implementation in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory.
Ireland is particularly concerned about the discriminatory nature of the Bill as it relates to Palestinians.
Ireland has additional concerns about the law passed by the Israeli Knesset on 11 May, establishing a special hybrid military tribunal to prosecute Palestinians held in Israeli custody on suspicion of participation in the Hamas-led attacks of 7 October, 2023 and whereby the death penalty may be imposed on defendants convicted of Genocide by the special hybrid military tribunal.
There must be full accountability for the atrocities committed by Hamas on 7 October but fundamental procedural protections essential to a fair trial must be respected.
Ireland urges Israel to withdraw the death penalty law and to maintain the longstanding de facto moratorium on executions and capital punishment sentencing with a view to abolishing the death penalty entirely.
Ireland maintains a steadfast, principled opposition to the death penalty, actively promoting its universal abolition through our membership of the UN Human Rights Council. During the 58th session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva last year, Ireland delivered a national statement at the Biennial High-Level Panel on the Death Penalty setting out our consistent position on the death penalty. Ireland is also a member of the coalition of States supporting the International Commission against the Death Penalty.
The EU Ambassador to the State of Israel has delivered a démarche to the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the death penalty law on behalf of EU Member States.
At the EU Foreign Affairs Council, I will continue to press for appropriate EU action in response to persistent Israeli breaches of human rights and international law. At the May meeting, I reiterated that Ireland is ready to suspend the EU-Israel Association Agreement, or at a minimum to suspend the trade elements of the Agreement as previously proposed by the European Commission, in response to egregious Israeli breaches of human rights and democratic principles.
Middle East
Ceisteanna (66, 82)
Aindrias Moynihan
Ceist:66. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the immediate and emerging risks she has identified to the continuity of international trade flows as a result of the ongoing conflict in west Asia; to outline her engagements with EU partners to mitigate such risks; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38269/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAindrias Moynihan
Ceist:82. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to outline her Department’s assessment of the wider economic and trade security implications of the west Asia crisis with international shipping route disruptions; her engagement at EU level on these issues; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38268/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 66 and 82 together.
Ireland remains deeply concerned about the conflict in the Middle East. We hope the ceasefire can be maintained and negotiations can bring a permanent end to the conflict. I will attend the Foreign Affairs Council on Trade on 22 May where I will discuss the impact of the Middle East crisis on trade and economic security with my EU ministerial counterparts.
The Gulf states impacted by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz – United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia – are a relatively small market for Ireland accounting for approximately €2.2bn or less than 1 percent of total exports and €659m or less than 1 percent of total imports in 2025. Ireland’s main exports to Gulf States include Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals, Agrifood, Machinery and Medical Devices. Our main imports include minerals/fuels, chemicals, machinery and materials.
Ireland’s direct trade is relatively sheltered from shipment impacts through the Strait of Hormuz and so the impacts are more indirect. They include immediate and sharp price increases in oil, gas and petroleum products.
While Ireland has low levels of direct trade with the Gulf states, the disruption to energy supplies has already fed into higher energy prices. In Ireland, the annual rate of inflation in April rose to 3.7 per cent, with energy products increasing by 15.3 per cent in the last 12 months.
Aviation has been affected through volatility in jet fuel markets, higher operating costs, and the need for alternative fuel sourcing arrangements, while maintaining essential connectivity for an island EU Member State.
Maritime transport, while not directly exposed to security risks, has been affected by systemic global shipping disruption including longer transit times, schedule unreliability, container shortages, and elevated freight rates. For Ireland, which is highly dependent on maritime connectivity, these knock on effects have tangible consequences for ports, exporters, importers and consumers.
The Gulf is not only an important global supplier of energy, but also fertilisers, chemicals, metals, mineral products and plastics. Specific products where the Middle East has significant production include sulphur, methanol, helium, urea, naphtha, polyethylene, ammonia and aluminium.
These are important products with downstream applications across many strategic sectors, including food production, healthcare, semiconductors and construction. A prolonged crisis could cause disruption for many industries.
Therefore, this crisis is not just about trade. It has implications across a range of areas such as our energy security, energy infrastructure, industrial policy, food security and our citizens’ health.
Even if the ceasefire holds and becomes permanent, lasting damage to Gulf oil infrastructure means recovery will take months or years, keeping global energy prices elevated and impacting through higher costs rather than physical shortages.
The situation underscores the urgency of diversifying and de-risking to reduce the EU’s exposure to critical chokepoints as regards goods and transport routes. The Joint Communication on Strengthening EU Economic Security emphasises the importance of understanding and limiting such critical dependencies, closer interaction with the business community to encourage diversification and the necessity to deploy a mix of measures to mitigate risks.
Ireland recognises the need for economic security and resilience measures to address specific strategic risks and critical vulnerabilities. We believe we must take a balanced and outward-looking approach to improving our competitiveness, grounded in maintaining openness to global trade and investment, with resilient strategic supply chains. We support implementation of the Economic Security Strategy, which will be a priority for Ireland’s Presidency.
Collaboration and partnerships matter enormously in this situation for diversification and de-risking. Crucially, we should not risk alienating partners by reducing openness to trade.
The crisis provides enhanced impetus to conclude existing trade negotiations and we should increasingly look at the opportunities existing trade agreements provide from an economic security perspective. We should also look at the possibility of plurilateral initiatives to collaborate with likeminded countries on areas of strategic interest, for example, in critical raw materials and technologies.
Finally, we should be mindful that a prolonged crisis could severely and disproportionately impact on developing countries, especially with regard to food production. We need to keep this to the forefront in considering our responses.
Question No. 67 answered with Question No. 12.
Middle East
Ceisteanna (68)
John Lahart
Ceist:68. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the specific initiatives Ireland is supporting at EU and UN level to prevent further escalation of the ongoing conflict between the US and Iran. [38230/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Ireland remains deeply concerned about the conflict in the Middle East and Gulf. We remain in close contact with EU and regional partners in responding to this crisis. We have welcomed the ceasefire agreements between Iran and the US and between Israel and Lebanon, but we are very conscious that these conflicts could easily restart without political agreements to resolve the underlying issues. In the past week, we have seen the continued risk through the unacceptable drone strike on a nuclear power plant in the UAE. We urge all parties to preserve the ceasefires, to avoid escalation and to engage fruitfully with efforts towards peace. Ireland has consistently called for dialogue and diplomacy and uses every diplomatic channel available to call for an end to violence.
I have discussed the ongoing war in the region at a series of emergency and regular meetings of the Foreign Affairs Council, most recently on 11 May. The European Council also adopted Conclusions on the crisis on 19 March. The ongoing closure of the Strait of Hormuz is a key concern for the EU and Ireland, and member states are participating in discussions on ways in which maritime security and the freedom of navigation can be strengthened in the region. Actions to close the Strait should be lifted immediately to allow economic recovery and to ensure a positive atmosphere for successful negotiations to bring the war to an end.
At the UN, Ireland has consistently supported resolutions brought forward by Gulf states condemning the Iranian attacks on their territory. Most recently, Bahrain, supported by several Gulf States and the US, has put forward a draft Security Council Resolution affirming freedom of navigation to allowing ships to pass through the Strait of Hormuz. Ireland, and most EU countries, have co-sponsored this draft resolution. Ireland co-sponsored the important UNSC Resolution 2817 put forward by the GCC in March. My Department is also engaged with other Government Departments in relation to similar proposed actions at other international bodies such as the International Maritime Organisation.
We remain in close contact with EU and with regional partners in responding to this crisis. We hope that the negotiations can lead to a permanent end to violence and a lasting solution that addresses all of the issues of concern and contributes to greater regional security.
Question No. 69 answered with Question No. 58.
Dublin-Monaghan Bombings
Ceisteanna (70)
Shane Moynihan
Ceist:70. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade for an update on the British Government's response to the State's ongoing request for full disclosure and access to all relevant documents concerning the Dublin-Monaghan bombings of 17 May 1974; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37158/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Last Sunday marked the 52nd anniversary of the Dublin Monaghan bombings. In those intervening 52 years, families have sought the truth of what happened to their loved ones on that day.
The Government has long-standing requests in place to allow access by an independent, international judicial figure to all original documents held by the British Government relating to the Dublin and Monaghan bombings. These requests arise from successive all-party motions adopted by this House.
I raised the Dublin Monaghan bombings with the Secretary of State, Hilary Benn, at the BIIGC on 30 April. The delay in the publication of the full report of Operation Denton, a review of the Glenanne gang cases, including the Dublin and Monaghan bombings, which was expected last year, is disappointing. The delay in publication is due to legal proceedings currently under way in Northern Ireland.
Officials from my Department remain in regular contact with the head of Operation Denton, Sir Iain Livingstone. They will continue to follow up on the publication of the full report. We hope the report can be published within a reasonable timeframe and that its findings may shed light on what happened on that awful day.
The publication of the final report of Operation Denton would also help to maintain momentum on our broader work on legacy, particularly in the context of the implementation of the Joint Framework agreed last year by the two Governments.
Reciprocal co-operation is at the heart of the Joint Framework, which commits the British Government to provide "cooperation to Ireland for investigations, inquiries and inquests" in this jurisdiction. It is my hope that these measures, once implemented, could further help to shed light on the events of 17 May 1974 and provide information to families.