I apologise for delaying everybody. I thank Deputy Ó Fearghaíl for raising this important issue. I welcome the opportunity to update the House on the subject of Western Sahara. As we have heard, the House is aware that since 1975, Western Sahara has been the subject of a territorial dispute between Morocco and the Polisario Front. The United Nations recognises Western Sahara as a non-self-governing territory under international law. In 1991, MINURSO was established by Security Council Resolution 690, in accordance with the United Nations and the Organisation of African Unity settlement proposals accepted by Morocco and the Polisario Front. The referendum has not taken place. However, MINURSO has continued to perform tasks entrusted to it by the UN Security Council. In November 2020, the UN-mandated ceasefire collapsed and low-level hostilities resumed along the 2,700 km-long sand berm that separates Polisario and Morocco-controlled territory. Actual hostilities remain at a low level at the moment. As the Deputy has pointed out, on 31 October, the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 2797, extending the MINURSO mandate for one year, until 31 October 2026. The resolution received 11 votes in favour and three Council members abstained. Ireland is not currently a member of the United Nations Security Council, although we have been in the past. As set out in the text of the resolution, the UN Security Council "expresses its full support for the Secretary-General and his Personal Envoy in facilitating and conducting negotiations taking as basis Morocco's Autonomy Proposal". It does so "with a view to achieving a just, lasting, and mutually acceptable resolution to the dispute, consistent with the UN Charter, and welcomes any constructive suggestions by the parties in response to the Autonomy Proposal;" Ireland is still considering the implications of the MINURSO mandate renewal following its adoption. Our position on Western Sahara has been, and continues to be, guided by the aim of achieving a just and lasting political solution that will provide for the self-determination of the people of Western Sahara. Our engagement on this issue will also continue to take account of the role of and the insights provided by the personal envoy of the UN Secretary General for Western Sahara, Staffan de Mistura. Following the adoption by the Security Council of Resolution 2797, which the Deputy referenced, the personal envoy outlined that the Resolution provides a framework for negotiations. To quote the statement of the personal envoy, the resolution "does not prescribe an outcome ... which will, as always, in order to be sustainable, be the result of negotiations conducted in good faith." The personal envoy also stated that engaging in negotiations "does not mean automatically to accept an outcome." The personal envoy plans to call all parties to submit proposals and suggestions in order to allow the UN to develop a broad agenda for direct or indirect talks on the most relevant issues. In accordance with the resolution, the parties are Morocco, the Polisario Front, Algeria and Mauritania. Officials at the headquarters of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and in the mission network continue to be in contact with relevant parties in support of efforts to achieve a solution to this long-standing dispute. As Ireland considers the implication of the mission mandate renewal and efforts to resolve this long-standing dispute, I assure the Deputy and this House that the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and I as Minister will continue to keep any relevant developments under review, including in the context of EU and UN discussions. I am happy to talk further with the Deputy on all of this.

Sentiment score: 0.36

On the Deputy's initial point, interestingly, today in Cabinet, we brought forward a review of Global Ireland 2025, which has been our strategy for a number of years. While the objective within that was to enhance, grow and double our footprint, within that, if you dig down into it, it is about enhancing and strengthening relationships, linking in with our Irish diaspora and seeing how we can grow those connections and use our own experience, expertise and knowledge to support other countries. Morocco is no different and there are many other countries as well. As we look to our Global Ireland 2040 plan, which I hope can be published before the Presidency next year, we will build and grow on that huge amount of work that has been done. Of course, when it comes to the UN as an organisation, it has to be something that we look to, support, strengthen and enhance in the years ahead because there are many challenges. As an organisation, it faces many challenges in the very important work it does. I would restate in regard to this issue that in our own engagement on this, we have to continue to take account of the role of the insights provided by the personal envoy of the UN Secretary General but it is very much our hope that the efforts of all involved here will help achieve a just and lasting political solution that will provide for the self-determination of the people of Western Sahara. Ireland's position continues to be guided by that aim. I know of the Deputy's interest and through the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade and in other ways, my officials in the Department and I are happy to work with him and engage with him on this matter, as hopefully we can reach a solution and a conclusion that is suitable for everyone.

Sentiment score: 0.51