I wish to ask the Minister for an update on the progress of the independent review group that has been set up to investigate and make recommendations on the awarding of medals to the soldiers who participated in the battle of Jadotville.

Sorry.

I posed the question, so normally I would speak first. Perhaps the Acting Chairman will allow me to speak at this point before the Minister responds.

I welcome the progress that has been made by the independent review group. There was some concern when a time extension was requested but I understand the rationale behind that. A lot of work needs to be done and I welcome the fact that the review will be thorough. We need to bring an end to the injustice that has been done to the gallant members of the Defence Forces who participated in the Battle at Jadotville almost 60 years ago, with the anniversary coming up in September. That injustice must be brought to an e…

I wish the independent review body well and I hope it meets the June deadline. It is incumbent on it to do so. An enormous amount of work needs to be done but ultimately this is about undoing the disservice done to those involved. It is about honouring the heroes of Jadotville of 60 years ago. The fact that the testimony of the officer on the ground and his recommendations were not listened to or acted upon was the fundamental flaw in the entire process. We cannot undo that but the fact that the review is taking pl…

On the back of a century that witnessed two global conflagrations - two world wars which led to the slaughter of tens of millions of people - the European project was born out of a design committed to making war not merely unthinkable, but materially impossible. The Europe that emerged out of this search to achieve a peaceful coexistence has allowed the formerly belligerent nations of western Europe to not only coexist, but to prosper in a spirit of mutual dependency. With such success and prosperity comes responsi…

The situation the Government has allowed to develop around housing is so horrific it is difficult to believe it is being allowed to happen here and now. When it comes to Fianna Fáil and property developers, the phrase "Catch me once" begins to form in the mind. I believe members of the public will agree with me when I say Sinn Féin is delivering a clear message today to Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the Green Party that the people will not allow themselves to be caught a second time. The shame in this belongs squarely…

What actions does the Minister plan to take on the international stage to put a halt to the humanitarian crisis that has been unfolding in the Tigray region of Ethiopia over the past number of months? It has involved a number of international actors. What actions does the Minister intend to take on the international stage?

As the Minister is aware, this is one of the world's gravest humanitarian and human rights crises. He mentioned that sexual violence is being used as a weapon of war, which is absolutely appalling. I welcome the statement by the UN Security Council and the work that went into drafting it but, unfortunately, it did not go far enough because it did not mention the international actors involved in the situation. We see the situation with Eritrea. For the first time on 23 April, there was acknowledgement that Eritrea h…

I thank the Minister for the response. Ireland has a key role to play to bring about a ceasefire and a lasting settlement to the conflict in the region, given the considerable humanitarian assistance Ireland has provided to Ethiopia, particularly the Tigray region, over many decades. We have a key role to play in that regard. There is worrying information on the crisis. I have spoken to experienced commentators who say they are convinced that the Ethiopian Prime Minister, Abiy Ahmed, has no intention whatsoever of …

Will the Minister respond to the recent report by the Human Rights Watch organisation that accuses Israel of the crime of apartheid? This has been given added significance in light of evolving events in East Jerusalem and Gaza over the past number of days, which amount to war crimes, annexation and apartheid. I look forward to the Minister's response.

I thank the Minister. I welcome his statements in recent months but unfortunately they are only words. Words are important and significant. That is why I want to ask the Minister about the specific use of words such as “apartheid” and whether he views what is being done in the occupied territories by Israel as apartheid. The Minister said he will be forthright in terms of international law. International law shows war crimes are being perpetrated by Israel. Does the Minister agree these are war crimes? Does he agre…

I am not the only one who says it.

Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International-----

The Minister will be aware the International Criminal Court is investigating Israel for war crimes. It is interesting the Minister cannot say that what is happening on the ground - the forced displacement of Palestinian people from the occupied territories – is a war crime. It is a fact; it is not me making it up. That is a fact the Minister cannot dispute. It is worrying he cannot simply state that. Ending the culture of near total impunity for Israel is allowing it to perpetrate these war crimes and the apartheid…

People are being slaughtered. What is being done?

What actions will Ireland take, as co-chair with Mexico of the UN Security Council Informal Expert Group on Women, Peace and Security, to maximise the ongoing positive impact that increased local female participation in the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali has had to date?

I thank the Minister. I am aware we have troops stationed in Mali and it probably has one of the highest casualty rates of all UN missions. Since the start of the stabilisation mission in Mali, the participation of women within the process has grown from 3% to 31% and it must be said that is a massive increase. There is a critical mass theory across all disciplines that once a grouping reaches a critical mass of 35% we can begin to see tangible culture change. The chief of staff of the Mali mission, Claudia Banz, a…

The Minister is right, female participation has certainly helped and changed the whole dynamic of the peace process in Mali and has helped frame the content of the peace talks. Unfortunately, Covid has had a huge impact in Mali, as it has in many countries, in particular in developing ones. It has been said Covid-19 has had the same impact on countries such as Mali as conflict is having. Unfortunately, many women who were participating in the peace process have now pulled away from it to go back to their caring rol…

Will the Minister follow the lead that was taken by the US President, Joe Biden, on 24 April 2021 to formally recognise that genocide was committed against the people of Armenia during the First World War by the Ottoman Turkish Government?