I am grateful to the Minister for being present to deal with this matter. I want to declare an interest in that, as the convener of the Ireland-Morocco Parliamentary Friendship Group, this is an issue in which I am keenly interested. Will the Minister provide an update on Ireland's stance on the question of Western Sahara in the context of the recent developments at United Nations level? This 50-year-old dispute remains one of the longest standing issues on the agenda of the UN. Despite successive UN efforts to facilitate a negotiated settlement, the situation has continued to evolve, shaped by developments on the ground and by broader dynamics in the region. Since the 1991 ceasefire and the establishment of the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara, MINURSO - to which Ireland contributed peacekeeping personnel until 2021 - efforts to implement the original settlement plan, which consists in the organisation of a referendum, proved unworkable between 1991 and 2004 due to the inability to agree on an electorate. Recognising this impasse, the Security Council shifted course in 2004 and called instead for a political solution. In response, Morocco presented its autonomy initiative in 2007, a proposal that successive UN Secretaries General and Security Council resolutions have acknowledged as serious, credible and realistic. Ireland has consistently demonstrated its commitment to multilateralism, the peaceful settlement of disputes and respect for international law, notably through its support for UN-led processes, peacekeeping operations and dialogue-based, negotiated solutions. On 31 October 2025, the Security Council adopted Resolution 2797 by 11 votes in favour, including three permanent members. The resolution takes note of the support expressed by many member states for Morocco's autonomy proposal, presented on 11 April 2007 to the UN Secretary General, as a basis for a just, lasting and mutually acceptable solution to the dispute. It affirms that genuine autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty could constitute a most feasible solution. It calls upon the parties, namely Morocco, Algeria, Polisario and Mauritania, to engage in negotiations without preconditions, taking as a basis Morocco's autonomy proposal. It recognises that genuine autonomy could represent a most feasible outcome and encourages the parties to submit ideas to support a final mutually acceptable solution. It expresses appreciation to the United States for its readiness to host negotiations in furtherance of the personal envoy's mission to achieve a solution for Western Sahara and the region. In his written reply of 5 November on Resolution 2797, the Minister's predecessor stated, "Ireland is considering the implications of the mandate renewal." Given Ireland's long-standing support for UN-led political processes, our commitment to regional stability, and our interest in a strong partnership with a key EU neighbour and strategic partner in North Africa, clarity at this stage matters. In that context, will the Minister provide an update on Ireland's position on Western Sahara in light of the UN Security Council Resolution 2797? Will she clarify the Government's position on the Moroccan autonomy initiative, particularly in light of the growing international consensus explicitly mentioned in the last Security Council resolution? A clear Irish stance, aligned with the UN, consistent with our principles and attentive to regional security realities would strengthen the prospects for a realistic and durable resolution to this long-running conflict.

Sentiment score: 0.53

I thank the Minister for that response. It has to be accepted that, I think, we are building an ever stronger relationship between Ireland and Morocco. We have opened our embassy there. Our ambassador, Helena Nolan, is doing a superb job for us in Rabat. We all know the Moroccan ambassador to Ireland because he is ever present in this House and never loses an opportunity to promote his country. We know that many Irish people travel there regularly, that business and trade are increasing and that Morocco is a developing, progressive country that represents for us in Europe the gateway to Africa. I will put it to the Minister that she recognises that a process is under way. Over 100 countries have now committed themselves to the resolution as set out by the UN. We have a deep and fundamental commitment to the work of the UN and I would urge the Minister to conclude the review she is doing when possible and ensure that Ireland gets on board with the process. Most recently our EU neighbour, the Netherlands, has committed itself to this process. Many - I think over 20, in fact - of our EU colleagues have done likewise. We do not want to remain the odd one out. We want to be seen to be participating in the efforts to find a solution to a 50-year-old intractable problem that leaves everyone the winner, with a better opportunity for the future of the Sahrawi people and for progress in Algeria and Morocco.

Sentiment score: 0.28