I thank the Deputy. I look forward to working with him and our colleagues on many matters. At this critical juncture for Ukraine, after almost four years of brutal Russian aggression, I want to emphasise Ireland’s unequivocal support and solidarity with Ukraine. This something I have emphasised a number of times, most recently when I attended the meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council on 20 November where Ukraine’s foreign affairs minister, Andrii Sybiha, spoke about recent Russian attacks against Ukraine. A meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council which took place yesterday was also addressed by the foreign affairs minister. I welcome the ongoing efforts of President Trump and the United States to end Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and to achieve just and lasting peace and security, not just for Ukraine, but for the EU and Europe more widely. It is more important than ever that Europe and the United States continue to work together to achieve this. The emerging US proposals, as well as plans for further negotiations, represent a step forward. I welcome the progress made at Sunday’s meeting between the US and Ukraine in Geneva. We look forward to these talks continuing in a positive manner and to further progress being achieved. Ukraine is engaging positively and constructively in these discussions despite the ongoing Russian military assault on its towns, cities, ports and critical energy infrastructure. It is crucial that any agreement upholds Ukraine’s sovereignty and independence based on respect for the principles of the UN Charter. The fundamental principle that borders cannot be changed by force must be upheld. Any agreement must also protect Ukraine and Europe’s vital security. That means strong, credible guarantees that ensure Ukraine can defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity to avoid a repetition of the past. As the Deputy said, while the proposals in the plan put forward by the United States are welcome, there are very clearly areas that need further work. I am sure that is exactly what is happening at the moment. This is not just vital for Ukraine, it is also vital for the European Union and all member states, including Ireland. It is welcome that assurances have been given that the EU and Europe will be involved in discussions on issues that directly affect us, including enlargement and immobilised assets. The Taoiseach and I remain in close contact with our European and Ukrainian counterparts. The Taoiseach took part in a meeting of the European Council on 24 November and attended a meeting of the coalition of the willing on 25 November, which was on the margins of the EU-African Union Summit. I will revert to the Deputy on further engagements.
Sentiment score: 0.29
I agree with the Deputy's initial comments. My own view, and I think that of many member states, as was reflected in our recent meeting, is that the actions of Russia indicate that it is not a country that is seeking peace. That is very clear, not just from the fact that innocent civilians have been killed in recent days and weeks but also the fact that there continue to be persistent hybrid threats to neighbouring member states. Our friends in Poland told us very clearly of the blowing up of a trainline and only for one device not detonating, there would have been significant casualties. Similarly, hybrid threats are happening at airports in nearby countries, such as Lithuania and others. These are not the actions of a country that wants peace. I genuinely welcome the engagement of the United States and its efforts to bring forward a peace agreement. Again, I have to stress that the 28-point plan that we initially saw over the weekend very clearly had elements that needed further work. The engagement of EU member states, the United States, Ukraine and the EU institutions in discussions is welcome, as is the clear indication from President Trump more recently that the deadline of today is no longer a deadline. I think it shows a clear commitment on all sides, separate to Russia, to reach that agreement. We need to make sure all sides are putting pressure on Russia to come around the table to realise that long-lasting peace and to make sure that it is a peace that will not just have strong implications for Ukraine, but for the EU and the European region in general.
Sentiment score: 0.40
We will continue to support all efforts towards a peaceful resolution. In the meantime, and separate to and in conjunction with that, there are other ways in which we can provide support and assistance. In relation to the forcibly transported or deported Ukrainian children, we will continue to raise this at every avenue possible. We have been clear in condemning what is the absolutely horrific crime of taking young children from their families. We are engaging with UN agencies to try to find other solutions to this issue and I will consistently raise it with my colleagues at the Foreign Affairs Council, through our UN agencies and with the High Representative. In terms of other ways in which we are providing support, we will continue to provide financial support, making sure that we provide the humanitarian aid needed in Ukraine. We will also provide the non-lethal support that is needed. We are also being very strong in our support for Ukraine's accession. It is really important that Ukraine and others see its pathway towards membership of the European Union. From the outset, we have been very strong in providing that support and we want to make sure that continues. It is something that we will be focusing on very strongly throughout our Presidency.
Sentiment score: 0.38
I propose to take Questions Nos. 2 and 4 together. In June, the Government approved the general scheme of the Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory (prohibition of importation of goods) Bill. The main purpose of the Bill is to prohibit the importation of goods into the State from Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem. The Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade held a number of hearings on the general scheme and received submissions representing a range of views and perspectives. Pre-legislative scrutiny is an important part of the legislative process and the Tánaiste thanked the committee for its report on receipt. Detailed work to analyse the report and its recommendations is well underway. The regulatory impact assessment is also currently being finalised by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and will be available on the Department’s website when completed, which I hope will be soon. The next steps in the process, including the timeline for the progress of the Bill, are being considered by the Government. The general scheme fulfils our commitment in the programme for Government to prohibit the import of goods from settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory. Trade in services is considerably more complex than is the case with goods and there remains considerable legal uncertainty as to whether the inclusion of services is permissible under EU law. Legal clarity is needed on this point. This is something that I want to receive, but I made it very clear at the very outset when being appointed to this role that I intended to fulfil our commitment in the programme for Government to enact this legislation. We must also take account of practical issues with regard to the implementation should services be included in the scope of the Bill. It remains the Government’s preference that collective action would be taken at an EU level and we continue to pursue this. In this context, Ireland has welcomed the announcements by the Dutch, Spanish, Slovenian and Belgian Governments regarding the banning of the importation of goods produced in illegal Israeli settlements. We obviously know that those measures were introduced prior to the ceasefire, but those announcements by the Dutch, Spanish, Slovenian and Belgian Governments were welcome. We are working with all of them. Notwithstanding the positive and welcome developments with regard to the ceasefire and hostage release deal in Gaza, Ireland has also made clear its view that the EU must keep the package of measures proposed by the Commission in response to Israeli human rights and other breaches on the table. It is an issue that Ireland raised and led the charge on. We want to ensure a significant response and to keep those measures on the table. They are very much firmly on the table. The primary focus at EU level right now is ensuring the success of the ceasefire and peace deal, and of making a contribution to international efforts in this regard, as well as making sure that the humanitarian aid that is so badly needed does not just continue to flow but increases. There are significant concerns about the number of young people who will face starvation if the number of trucks does not increase significantly. It is essential that peace be given a chance to succeed. It is essential that the humanitarian aid and assistance that are needed are allowed to enter Gaza. The Government in Ireland will do everything in our power to ensure we support both of these objectives.
Sentiment score: 0.28
The Government's position has been clear that our overall objective is a two-state solution. We have been working towards that for some time and not just in recent years. It has always been our goal and objective. That is why we recognised the State of Palestine. It is why we are doing everything to ensure that this peace is lasting. It is why we will be hosting a global alliance summit in January, bringing together Heads of State to show how we have, on our own island, progressed a peaceful resolution to what was a long-lasting conflict. We want to do everything in our power to ensure the territorial integrity of Palestine is upheld. That will be our continued goal and objective. In terms of the legislation itself, I, as Minister, have in the past week given a clear commitment that we will fulfil our commitments in the programme for Government. Deputies will appreciate that I have only been in the Department for a week. I am looking for the advice of the Attorney General on services. We have always been clear that enacting the legislation in terms of services is more complex. I await the advice of the Attorney General. I have not received the draft Bill but anticipate I will receive it soon. I expect the work that is being carried out on the impact assessment to be ready soon. The Deputies will appreciate that I have only been in the Department for a week. I want to ensure that I have all of the information available to me to be able to progress this legislation. I will work with colleagues on all sides of the House. I am absolutely clear that as a country, we need to do everything in our power to bring what is a very fragile ceasefire to a more permanent ceasefire. We need to ensure that we continue to use whatever levers are available to us to hold people accountable. I acknowledge that, since the ceasefire, there have been killings of innocent civilians. That is why the measures against the EU-Israel agreement are firmly on the table. This issue was raised at the most recent meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council. I am pleased to say that it is still firmly on the agenda. Other colleagues and I made it clear that it needed to remain on the agenda because we cannot have a situation where the ceasefire is broken on either side. Deputies can be assured of my commitment to making sure that we make progress and continue to support the Palestinian people in what is an absolutely dire situation at the moment.
Sentiment score: 0.28
I do not think it is any secret that our colleagues in the United States of America do not support this legislation. It is no secret that many states have anti-boycott legislation and have been clear about how this would be enacted. I do not think we should ignore that. At the same time, Ireland has always done what is the right thing in terms of-----
Sentiment score: -0.03
Ireland has always done what has been the right thing to do, including in recognising Palestine and encouraging other member states to do so. I am pleased that so many other member states have done that. We have provided financial assistance. We were one of the first member states to support the South African case. We have ensured that at every step of the way, we have done the right thing. We will consistently continue to do the right thing. I intend to write to my colleague, the High Representative, the chair of the Foreign Affairs Council, in relation to humanitarian aid. Given the update I received this week, I am not happy that we are doing enough to ensure more aid is getting to those who need it the most. There is more we can do, and can continue to do, to ensure that those who need our help the most get it immediately and that our actions have an impact. The Government has not been shy about saying that collective responses have a greater impact. We have been working with our European colleagues to ensure there is clearly an item on the table to remove preferential tariffs from Israel if it continues in the same vein. That needs to remain on the table. Ursula von der Leyen's most recent comments expressed that it was something that must remain on the table. In terms of the legislation, there are certain things that still need to be completed. I assure Deputies that once I have the legal advice from the Attorney General and the results of the work being done to look at the overall regulatory impact assessment, and once I assess that and the huge body work that was done by the committee - I acknowledge that, and my colleagues who put considerable work into pre-legislative scrutiny - we will be able to work collectively to bring forward legislation and ensure that our overall commitment to support Palestine and a two-state solution, and to bring about a lasting solution, can be front and centre in what we do here.
Sentiment score: 0.29
I thank the Deputy. As he outlined, Ireland will hold the EU Presidency in the second half of 2026. This is an important opportunity and, as the new Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, I am looking forward to engaging actively on our policy and operational preparations. My engagement with officials in the Department has already started. I am determined that we will make the most of our Presidency to shape the EU agenda. The priorities and policy programme for our Presidency will take into account the EU’s strategic agenda for 2024 to 2029 and the legislative work programme of the European Commission. They will also be shaped by our own priorities across an array of areas, including but not limited to, the protection of EU values at home and abroad, the enlargement of the Union, European security and the competitiveness and simplification agenda, which covers a wide range of areas including housing, the delivery of infrastructure, agriculture and many other areas. It is important to stress, however, that our policy programme will only be finalised and published shortly before the start of our Presidency term in June 2026. The Deputy will appreciate that many things change, many issues come off the agenda because they are concluded and other issues need to be further addressed. We need to take that into account in setting out our final priorities. I recognise the importance, in particular, of ensuring that stakeholder groups also have their voices heard. We need to make sure that everyone in Ireland feels they have an opportunity to have their say and be part of the overall discussion and work. A series of consultation meetings with stakeholders from across business, civil society, trade unions and other interest groups has recently taken place. A call for written submissions on the development of Ireland’s policy priorities, hosted on gov.ie, launched on 5 November and will run until 12 December. I encourage anybody who wants to have their say to take part in that online consultation. Work is also under way to prepare for more than 250 meetings that will be hosted in Ireland during the Presidency. These will include a summit of the European Political Community, an informal meeting of the European Council and up to 22 informal ministerial meetings. The Government has made a firm commitment to resource and deliver a successful Presidency. I am confident that in 2026, Ireland will be able to make a significant and positive contribution in leading the EU’s agenda.
Sentiment score: 0.36
There is still significant time to be able to shape that agenda because we will not have our final policies set out until June. We have six months to make sure that we are clear as to what we want on the agenda and that we are following on from items that are currently being discussed. There have been in-person meetings to date. For example, the Tánaiste had a large meeting with IBEC where there were representatives from climate and sustainability organisations and individual Ministers. The Minister for climate is having meetings and discussions. I have no doubt that each individual committee will be able either to make a submission or have a face-to-face engagement with the relevant Ministers to make sure that, as we develop our policy priorities, the elected representatives in this House have their voices heard clearly on the agenda. Again, I encourage those who perhaps are not in this House to make sure their voices are heard through the online submission process. I will make sure that in my work in my Department - we are co-ordinating all of this - as many opportunities as possible are made available to everyone to be able to shape the overall agenda, including when it comes to climate and sustainability.
Sentiment score: 0.33
I assure the Deputy and others that we will always work hard to maintain, enhance and grow what is a strong and important relationship to us, namely, the Irish-US relationship. We see in that an opportunity to strengthen and grow the EU-US relationship as well. Only this week, at the European Foreign Affairs Trade Council, we had a visit from Ambassador Greer and Secretary Lutnick and there were warm discussions and engagement, despite the fact that we have had a challenging number of months in our trade and in the overall position we find ourselves in now. What is clear from that engagement is that the relationship between the US and EU is a lasting relationship and one of the most important relationships. Within that, we see our relationship with the US as being a vital support to that and vital for us, not just in economic terms but in cultural terms and in so many other ways as well. Whether it is through the US trade council or our engagement on climate, cultural affairs or other areas, we will ensure that, through the Presidency and at every other stage, we are prioritising and working on that relationship, irrespective of who is in the US Administration.
Sentiment score: 0.72