Written Answers Nos. 210-231
210. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Taoiseach whether for procurement spend, a purchase order can be raised within his Department's financial management systems without reference to a contract, framework agreement, procurement process or other authorising arrangement; if so, the circumstances in which this may occur [45173/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra211. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Taoiseach whether an invoice can be paid by his Department without an associated purchase order having first been raised; if so, the circumstances in which this may occur; the number and value of payments made during quarter one of 2026 which were not associated with a purchase order. [45191/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 210 and 211 together.
All procurement within the Department of the Taoiseach is conducted in accordance with applicable EU and national regulations and Office of Government Procurement (OGP) guidelines.
The Department's Corporate Procurement Plan outlines procedures and responsibilities for procurement of goods and services. Such procedures require a procurement process to be completed in all cases prior to ordering of goods or services. Financial management controls are in place in the Department with a view to ensuring that all purchase orders raised have an associated contract, framework agreement, procurement process or other authorising arrangement in line with procurement requirements.
In addition, the Department has a Procurement Advisory Group (PAG), chaired at Principal Office level, which meets at regular intervals throughout the year to review and continuously improve processes to ensure compliance and good governance. The PAG comprises officials from Finance Unit, Internal Audit Unit and from business units in the Department that generate the bulk of the purchasing and procurement activity. The PAG provides advice and guidance as necessary to business units across the Department and addresses any issues raised in respect of procurement.
Processing of the Department’s financial transactions is undertaken by the National Shared Services Office (NSSO) Financial Shared Service. Inclusion of a valid purchase order number on each invoice is a requirement of the NSSO for the processing of payments.
Purchase orders are used in all appropriate cases except in limited and clearly defined circumstances to facilitate the effective processing of payments attributable to multiple cost centres. These payments are subject to the normal approval and procurement process. Purchase orders are also not used where payments do not relate to the procurement of goods or services such as in the case of recoupment of costs to another government Department/Office.
Total payments by the Department for goods and services in Q1 2026 was €1.18 million of which €135,712 was processed without a purchase order. Of these payments, €83,611 was in respect of goods/services for which a procurement process was in place. The remaining €52,101 related to recoupment of costs to another government Department/Office.
212. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Taoiseach if he has an any way to identify which Parliamentary Questions are AI generated; and the amount it costs, on average, to answer a Parliamentary Question. [45379/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAt present, my Department does not seek to identify whether a Parliamentary Question is generated by artificial intelligence and is not aware of any means to clearly identify such a question. All questions relating to policy matters for which I have official responsibility are answered in line with Oireachtas rules and guidance. Any restrictions or rules governing the use of artificial intelligence in tabling Parliamentary Questions is a matter for the Oireachtas itself to determine.
The administrative work involved in answering Parliamentary Questions is spread across the whole Department given the broad policy areas covered and volume of questions tabled and answered on a weekly basis.
Information is not currently available to distinguish the cost to my Department of answering Parliamentary Questions from the overall administrative costs associated with the operation of the Department more generally.
213. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to outline any difficulties her Department has encountered in progressing the Dublin/Belfast Economic Corridor since Brexit. [45449/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraDespite the challenges introduced by Brexit, the all-island economy has shown resilience and has continued to grow with cross-border trade in goods more than doubling since 2020. In 2001, annual cross-border trade in goods was valued at €3.1 billion, and by 2025 it had grown to €10.9 billion. This trade is evenly balanced, with roughly the same level of goods moving from north to south and south to north. Recent figures for cross-border trade in both goods and services show that it was worth over €17.2 billion, supporting jobs and businesses across the island including in the Dublin-Belfast economic corridor.
The growth of the all-island economy is supported by the Windsor Framework, which protects the gains of the Good Friday Agreement, and provide certainty and clarity for the people and businesses across the island of Ireland. The safeguards and facilitations contained within the Windsor Framework ensure that Northern Ireland, while remaining part of the United Kingdom’s internal market, also retains access to the EU’s single market for goods. Crucially, this avoids a hard border on the island of Ireland and protects the all-island economy, including along the Dublin/Belfast economic corridor.
The revised National Planning Framework recognises that this corridor, which links the two largest cities on the island of Ireland, is a key economic region that provides a strategic gateway for cross-border trade which plays a critical role in supporting economic growth and competitiveness. National Policy Objective 57 relates to supporting and developing the economic potential of the Dublin- Belfast Corridor. Specific projects to support the development of this corridor include the building the landmark Narrow Water Bridge to link the Mourne Mountains and Cooley peninsula, and development of the cross-border Enterprise rail service on the island of Ireland.
214. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the steps Ireland is currently taking to support the humanitarian crisis in Sudan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44916/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs a result of over three years of conflict in Sudan, more than 33 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance, and almost 12 million people have been forcibly displaced from their homes. Given the already massive impact of the conflict on civilians, we are particularly concerned by the continued escalation of violence in the Kordofan and Blue Nile states, and the intensification of conflict in North Darfur.
Ireland has provided substantial humanitarian assistance in response to the crisis in Sudan. In April, I attended the third International Sudan Conference in Berlin where I raised the need for humanitarian access to be guaranteed by all parties to the conflict. At this Conference, the EU and its Member States, including Ireland, pledged over €812 million in humanitarian assistance to support people in Sudan and to respond to the regional refugee crisis. Ireland is significantly increasing our humanitarian assistance to Sudan this year.
We are providing assistance to trusted partners including the UN, other international organisations, Irish organisations, and their local partners. Informed by the findings of a visit by officials to the Chadian-Sudanese border earlier this year, our assistance in 2026 will include dedicated funding to support people in need in hard to reach areas including a continued focus on women and girls affected by and at risk of sexual and gender-based violence. We will continue to provide humanitarian assistance to address the regional impact of the crisis, and to support the large numbers displaced to neighbouring countries. Through Ireland's Rapid Response Initiative we are supporting the delivery of urgently needed non-food supplies to Darfur and the deployment of a humanitarian worker to Sudan.
In parallel with our humanitarian support, Ireland has consistently emphasised the need to ensure unimpeded, safe and sustained humanitarian access. We have condemned the targeting of civilians by parties to the conflict, and called for the protection of civilians. We will continue to advocate for increased engagement on Sudan when we assume the Presidency of the EU on 1 July.
215. Deputy Eoin Hayes asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the Government's position on the Paris protocol; her views on the changes that should be sought to the arrangements governing economic relations between Palestine and Isreal to further the economic sovereignty of the state of Palestine; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45072/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra216. Deputy Eoin Hayes asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade her position on the withholding of billions of clearing revenues/tax funds by the Israeli government from the Palestinian Authority; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45073/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 215 and 216 together.
Ireland is extremely concerned about attempts to suffocate the Palestinian economy and I continue to call upon Israel to release withheld Palestinian tax clearance revenues to the Palestinian Authority. I have also called on Israel to take all necessary measures to ensure that correspondent banking services between Israeli and Palestinian banks remain in place.[]
Ireland is actively working with the EU and other partners in the region and beyond to create an enabling environment for the Palestinian Authority. Tánaiste Simon Harris, in his then capacity as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, attended the first ever EU-Palestine High Level Dialogue in Luxembourg in April 2025. The Dialogue provided an opportunity for the EU to engage directly with Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa.
I was pleased to attend the inaugural meeting of the Palestine Donor Group last November in Brussels where I had the opportunity to meet with Prime Minister Mustafa and Palestinian Minister for Finance and Planning Estephan Salameh. At that meeting, I highlighted Ireland’s concerns about Israel’s attempts to suffocate the Palestinian economy and called on Israel to release withheld Palestinian tax clearance revenues to the Palestinian Authority and take all necessary measures to ensure that correspondent banking services between Israeli and Palestinian banks remain in place. Ireland has been clear that the progress the Palestinian Authority has made on reforms is being continually undermined by Israel.
The Taoiseach met with Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa at the World Economic Forum in Davos in January. I also met with my Palestinian counterpart, Foreign Minister Varsen Aghabekian, at the Munich Security Council in February and heard first-hand the serious impact that Israel’s withholding of Palestinian tax revenues is having on the Palestinian economy.[]
On 8 April, I announced that Ireland will provide an additional financial contribution of €3 million to the Palestinian Authority for the continued provision of essential public services. This payment is being made via the EU PEGASE instrument and is part of Ireland’s contribution as a member of the Emergency Coalition for the Financial Sustainability of the Palestinian Authority.
The Government is committed to supporting the Palestinian Authority, both politically and financially. 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 has provided over €122 million in support to the people of Palestine since January 2023 and over €19 million so far this year.
217. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if her attention has been drawn to a recent construction project in Albania which seeks to disapply EU environmental law (details supplied); if she will raise this issue with the European Commission in relation to Albania's application for EU accession; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45075/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAlbania applied for EU membership in 2009, received candidate status in 2014, and opened accession negotiations in 2022. After opening all six negotiating clusters within one year, Albania met Rule of Law interim benchmarks in May 2026 and can now start the process for closure of negotiating chapters.
In order to join the EU, all candidate countries must align their national legislation with the entire body of existing EU law. Under the current enlargement methodology, EU policy areas are organised into 33 technical negotiating chapters, which are grouped into six thematic clusters. Environmental policy is addressed under chapter 27 on environment and climate change, which is part of Cluster 4 on green agenda and sustainable connectivity.
Each year, the European Commission publishes its enlargement reports, which provides a detailed assessment of the progress made by each candidate and potential candidate country across all policy areas, including on the environment.
The enlargement report also identifies the main challenges that candidate and potential candidate countries must address to achieve full alignment with the EU acquis. If a candidate country does not fully align its legislation with EU acquis in each policy area, it will not be in a position to fully advance in the accession process. Ireland takes the Commission's analysis into account when forming its position on the individual candidacies of candidate and potential candidate countries.
I am aware of the issue you referenced. On 9 June, I hosted my Albanian counterpart, Mr. Ferit Hoxha, the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of Albania, in Dublin. During our meeting, while welcoming recent widespread reform efforts made by Albania to align with EU acquis and reaffirming Ireland's support for Albania's EU accession process, I also noted that the EU accession process is merit based and that Albania will need to meet the necessary standards across all areas of EU policy.
Ireland strongly supports EU Enlargement which will be a priority of our upcoming Presidency. The EU accession process requires all candidates to align with all areas of EU laws. This is a strength of the enlargement process. If a country implements all necessary reforms it has the opportunity to move forward. If countries do not align their legislation with EU law in particular areas, they will be unable to proceed. Ireland continues to urge all candidate and potential candidate countries to continue aligning with the EU acquis in all policy areas to advance in their accession process and seize the current momentum on enlargement.
218. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade whether for procurement spend, a purchase order can be raised within her Department's financial management systems without reference to a contract, framework agreement, procurement process or other authorising arrangement; if so, the circumstances in which this may occur; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45165/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra219. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade whether an invoice can be paid by her Department without an associated purchase order having first been raised; if so, the circumstances in which this may occur; the number and value of payments made during quarter one of 2026 which were not associated with a purchase order; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45183/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 218 and 219 together.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade does not operate a Purchase Order system currently. Robust measures are in place governing invoice approval, payment processing, procurement contract management and budget monitoring.
The Department has a devolved structure in place for accounts payable. Invoices are processed and paid in more than 100 global locations and in over 40 currencies. Grants also form a significant portion of Departmental expenditure and are subject to separate governance procedures.
The Department are engaging with the National Shared Service Office in relation to the next phases of the Financial Management Shared Services project. This project utilises the Purchase Order model.
220. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if she has spoken formally with the US Secretary of State in the past three months. [45239/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhile I have not had the opportunity to speak with Secretary Rubio in the past three months, officials in my Department, including those in Ireland’s Embassy in Washington DC, are in regular contact with senior officials in the US State Department on a range of critical issues for Ireland. I look forward to future engagement with the Secretary of State.
221. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if she will report on the activities of the Irish Embassy based in Rabat including staffing levels. [45240/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Embassy of Ireland in Rabat opened in 2021 and has responsibility for Ireland's relationship with Morocco, Tunisia and Mauritania.
The Embassy works to promote Ireland’s values and interests in Morocco, Tunisia and Mauritania, supporting political, economic, cultural and people-to-people ties between our countries and providing reporting and analysis on a range of political and economic issues. In this connection, Embassy staff make regular working visits to Tunisia and Mauritania.
Currently, the Embassy is staffed by three diplomats, including the Ambassador. Six team members have been recruited locally and deliver the usual range of Embassy services, including consular and citizen services, policy research and analysis, public diplomacy and communications, and administration of the Embassy.
Last year marked the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Ireland and Morocco with a programme of events to mark the anniversary. A programme of events is planned during Ireland’s Presidency of the European Council.
The Embassy liaises with the State Agencies covering the MENA region, supports inward and outward trade visits, and oversees the important work of the Honorary Consulates in Agadir, Casablanca, and Tunis. Ireland's trade with Morocco has reached €1.1 billion (2024, provisional figures). An updated edition of the Doing Business in Morocco Guide was published by Enterprise Ireland in May 2026.
222. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if each Irish embassy and consulate general has a phone number (details supplied) in additional to regular phone number to deal with emergencies during out-of-hours. [45241/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAll missions have systems for out-of-hours contact.
The main telephone line of the Department is +353 1 408 2000. Outside of normal working hours, this telephone line operates as the out-of-hours emergency helpline to provide assistance to citizens requiring urgent consular assistance.
In addition, each Mission (Embassies and Consulates General) has its own website which lists in full the Mission’s telephone and email details, as well as emergency contact details for Irish citizens who may need urgent assistance outside normal working hours. The contact details for Irish Embassies and Consulates General abroad can be found on the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade website: www.ireland.ie/en/dfa/embassies/.
Dedicated Duty Officers are assigned outside of normal working hours, including on weekends and public holidays, to deal with emergencies. In many cases, phone answering machines are used and messages are checked regularly by duty personnel at the mission.
Further contact details for my Department are available on the following gov.ie webpage: www.gov.ie/en/organisation-information/3e828-contact-us/.
223. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if she has an any way to identify which Parliamentary Questions are AI generated; and the amount it costs, on average, to answer a Parliamentary Question. [45371/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department does not currently utilise any tools or platforms to assess whether a PQ may have been generated using AI, nor does it maintain a record of PQs that may have been drafted with AI assistance. All PQs received are given equal consideration.
Parliamentary Questions, priority, oral and written, are dealt with by the staff of the Divisions within my Department with responsibility for the issues raised in individual Questions as part of their typical day to day work. The number and level of staff, and the time allocated to preparing individual replies depends on the complexity and urgency of the issues raised, the ease of access to the required information, and the degree of cross-Divisional coordination required in preparing the reply. The cost of answering Parliamentary Questions can vary considerably, therefore, and it would be challenging to isolate the administrative costs associated with the processing of individual Questions.
224. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the estimated cost to date of the drafting of the Israeli Settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (Prohibition of Importation of Goods) Bill 2026, including drafting fees, legal advice, consultancy fees, the costs of consultations of any kind and to itemise all costs by category. [45512/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn respect of the Israeli Settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (Prohibition of Importation of Goods) Bill 2026, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has not paid any fees for drafting, legal advice, consultancy fees, or consultations of any kind. Legal advisory and drafting services in respect of the Bill have been provided by the Office of the Attorney General and the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel, respectively.
225. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the reason the Irish Ambassador stationed in London is given the title of the "Ambassador of Ireland to Great Britain", rather than the Ambassador of Ireland to the United Kingdom; and to outline the legal status which underpins the use of this alternative title. [45516/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraOur Ambassador in London is accredited to the United Kingdom, although the title “Ambassador of Ireland to Great Britain” reflects a long-standing historical practice dating from the establishment of diplomatic relations between Ireland and the UK.
On 2 December 1999, the Nineteenth Amendment made changes to Articles 2 and 3 of the Constitution, on foot of the Good Friday Agreement, which affirms Northern Ireland’s status as part of the United Kingdom and the principle of consent in relation to its constitutional status.
Although both countries officially recognised each other’s names and territories in the Good Friday Agreement, and the Ambassador’s accreditation is to the United Kingdom as a whole, the title has remained the same as a matter of diplomatic practice.
There is no difference in the Ambassador’s functions, responsibilities or accreditation arising from this title. The Embassy in London works closely with partners and stakeholders advancing Ireland’s interests and strengthening the close and multifaceted relationship between Ireland and the United Kingdom.
226. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the estimated cost of repatriating Irish citizens detained by Israel following the recent interception of the so-called "flotilla"; to give an itemised breakdown of the cost by category; and to state whether his Department intends to recoup the cost of this repatriation from the individuals involved or the organisations who arranged this so-called "flotilla". [45522/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am aware of recent Israeli operations that took place in April and May to intercept vessels participating in the Global Sumud Flotilla in international waters close to Greece and Cyprus. I am happy to confirm that all our citizens have since returned home, either to Ireland, or to their place of usual residence.
I can assure you that throughout this process, the safety and wellbeing of our citizens was my primary concern. Consular Assistance is offered in line with the Department's Consular Assistance Charter, and all appropriate consular assistance and support was provided by the Irish Embassies in Greece and Türkiye.
In line with our charter, my Department generally cannot provide financial support to Irish citizens in difficulty overseas. In cases where it has been established that a citizen cannot access funds, and as a last resort, a procedure is in place for the advance of funds through our embassy network to facilitate the return of the citizen to Ireland. In these exceptional situations, citizens are requested to sign undertakings to repay any funds advanced, and my Department conducts follow-up to recoup funds.
In most cases, we can facilitate citizens to communicate with their families or friends in order to make arrangements for onward travel or to access funds. In this case, my Department did not make, or pay for, arrangements for participants in the flotilla to return to Ireland, or other destination.
227. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if she will review the child passport renewal process for widowed parents, who are currently required to resubmit bereavement documents for each renewal; if she will consider introducing a once-off verification system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45553/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI fully recognise the difficulties the current process may present for bereaved families and the Passport Service seeks to be as sympathetic and supportive as possible in assisting bereaved parents throughout the application process. The Passport Service is continuously looking at ways to make the application process easier for applicants and has met with Widows and Bereaved Parents Ireland to discuss their concerns.
In terms of the process in place, where a child's guardian is deceased, the Passport Service requests the original death certificate of the deceased guardian and a Sole Guardian Affidavit from the surviving guardian confirming that they are the only guardian of the child.
When one guardian is deceased, it may not always be the case that the surviving parent is the only guardian of the child. For example, a guardian can, in a will or deed, appoint someone else to be a testamentary guardian after he or she dies. In addition, step-parents or other family members may have acquired guardianship of a child following the death of a parent. In order to protect the rights of children and their guardians, the Passport Service needs to confirm each time that it has the consent of all relevant guardians before it can issue a passport.
228. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of cars and buses that will be required by the State to meet the transport requirements of the State during the period of the EU Presidency; if the fleet will be purchased or hired; if special security vehicles will be purchased; if drivers will be recruited by the State; and if so, the number required. [45554/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union, beginning on 1 July, will be an important opportunity for Ireland to shape Europe’s policy direction, lead important aspects of the EU’s work, and showcase Ireland’s engagement, expertise and values at the heart of the European Union.
It is usual for meetings to take place in the country of the Presidency to support the Presidency’s policy objectives and to facilitate progress in delivering on key legislative and policy priorities. Ireland will host key high-level meetings including an informal meeting of the European Council and a summit meeting of the European Political Community, as well as a programme of 22 informal Council meetings at Ministerial level. More than 270 other Presidency meetings and events are expected to be hosted in Ireland.
In line with the precedents established by previous EU Presidencies, the provision of secure ground transport services is essential to ensure the security and safety of visiting foreign high-level delegations and to facilitate the smooth operation of meetings taking place in Ireland, including those of European leaders and Ministers.
With the support of the Office of Government Procurement, my Department has carried out a number of public procurement processes to put in place the complex and varied transport services required to deliver the scale of the overall meetings programme and the varied nature of the transport requirements, namely:
• Procurement of a Ground Transport Management Services Operator to provide ground transport management services and planning for high-level meetings;
• Lease of a core fleet of vehicles (40 cars, 44 minivans) for motorcade provision, under An Garda Síochána supervision;
• Lease of armoured cars for specific meetings, following the security advice of An Garda Síochána; and
• A central framework so that Departments can put in place coach hire arrangements for official-level meetings where site visits or similar group transport of delegations may be necessary.
In conjunction with my Department, the Ground Transport Management Services Operator will be responsible for organising the transport requirements for delegations attending high-level meetings. This will include the provision of drivers as required. The final number of vehicles utilised and drivers required will be dependent on the specific requirements of each Presidency meeting.
229. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to urgently intervene in a passport application for a child (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45700/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAll passport applications are subject to the terms of the Passports Act, 2008, as amended (“the 2008 Act”). Section 7(1)(a) of that Act provides that a person must be an Irish citizen in order for a passport to be issued. Accordingly, every applicant for a passport must submit evidence that they are an Irish citizen and, as such, are entitled to a passport. Section 12(1)(a) of the 2008 Act states that the Minister shall refuse to issue a passport to a person if the Minister is not satisfied that the person is an Irish citizen.
Entitlement to Irish citizenship is determined by the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956 ("the 1956 Act"), as amended, under which Irish citizenship may be obtained by birth, by descent, or by naturalisation. The 1956 Act is under the remit of the Department of Justice, Home Affairs, and Migration.
In order to protect the integrity of the Irish passport, first time passport applications for children require careful consideration, having regard to the individual circumstances of each application and the applicable legislation, in order to determine the child’s entitlement to a passport.
Since 2022, the Passport Service has operated a document management system whereby incomplete applications that require further supporting documents are prioritised once the additional documents are received by the Passport Service. These applications are then processed within 15 working days.
With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, additional supporting documents were requested by the Passport Service on 29/05/2026 and received by the Passport Service on 09/06/2026. Therefore, this application is within the turnaround time and has not yet reached its issue by date.
230. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade further to Parliamentary Question No. 208 of 9 June 2026, notwithstanding her Department’s support for sanctions against individual settlers, NGOs and others directly involved in illegal colonisation of the West Bank discussed therein, specifically whether the Irish Government supports sanctions against Israel akin to those against Russia (details supplied); if this is not the case, to state clearly that this is not the intention of the sanctions against Israel supported by the Government; and to clarify exactly the purpose of the proposed and actual sanctions against Israel supported by the Government. [45706/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraReply not received from Department.
231. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the dates on which she or officials in her Department held meetings in the past 12 months with third parties where the subject of the soccer match between Ireland and Israel was discussed; the names of the organisations or bodies with whom these meetings were held, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45707/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraNational 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 and there have been no dedicated meetings on this topic in my Department.
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.
