I thank Deputy Phelan. I know the Deputy feels strongly about this issue as he and I have spoken about it a number of times. We are using every opportunity we can to raise our concerns directly with the Iranian Government and also in multilateral forums in relation to what is currently happening in Iran. There has been a violent crackdown on protesters and we have seen loss of life in the past 70 days, with more than 40 children killed during that crackdown in the context of the legitimate protests that have taken …

First of all, I am glad to be able to respond myself today to this debate and to have been here in person through the debate to listen to the various different arguments and perspectives. As we all know, the security situation in Europe has changed fundamentally. Russia's illegal and unprovoked aggression against Ukraine, the decisions by Finland and Sweden to seek NATO membership, and the recommendations by the Commission on the Defence Forces have all brought security and defence issues to the fore in our nationa…

We have supported two new rounds of sanctions over the past number of weeks that have been agreed at an EU level.

If I may interrupt, I am in an awkward situation because there is a vote on the Finance Bill ongoing in the Dáil and the numbers are tight. What is the precedent for dealing with that?

On the question, if I can-----

I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle. We agreed as a Government in 2021 to re-establish a diplomatic presence in Tehran. We have been in the German Embassy since then with a chargé d'affaires. We are looking at the appropriateness of opening an embassy again next year. We had an embassy up to 2012. We are watching very closely political developments in Iran before finalising that decision.

If the Senator wants to keep going, I will stay as long as I can.

It is.

Since the further invasion of Ukraine in February, Ireland has been steadfast in its support for the Government and people of Ukraine, and we continue to be today. It is crucial that international law is respected and Ireland has been to the forefront of efforts at the United Nations to hold Russia accountable and to bring an end to the war in Ukraine as soon as possible. We have been consistent and vocal at the Security Council in our condemnation of Russia's actions and in calling out Russian disinformation. Irel…

This is an horrific war. We may have seen up to 250,000 people killed already, and perhaps 200,000 of those have been military personnel on both sides. It is hard to know what the figure is in respect of civilian losses, but it could be anything between 40,000 and 60,000 people, or maybe more. This is horrific. We know the brutality with which civilians have been treated because we have, unfortunately, seen their corpses and mass graves. Many of these people were tortured and brutalised, some with their hands tied …

I can understand the sentiment behind the call for closing the Russian Embassy here and the expulsion of the Russian ambassador. I can understand this anger and frustration when we see images daily of civilians and infrastructure being targeted and homes, apartment complexes, shopping centres and hospitals having been targeted and hit with missiles, drones etc. I understand that sentiment, but my job is to be a Minister for Foreign Affairs who tries to think ahead and tries to ensure that we have diplomatic channel…

Ireland opposes the use of the death penalty in all circumstances, and I am deeply concerned by the recent reports that the Iranian Government has sentenced a number of people to death for their involvement in the ongoing protests. Ireland has consistently raised our concerns around the high number of executions in Iran, including though the Universal Periodic Review process at the Human Rights Council. I urge Iran to declare a moratorium on executions, and to consider alternative sentencing. The vast majority of t…

I have had much more interaction with my Iranian counterpart than most Irish foreign ministers would have. This is because of our role on the Security Council. We are what is called a facilitator of Resolution 2231. Effectively, this means we put reports together for the Security Council on the progress, or lack thereof, on what is called the Iranian nuclear deal or the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, JCPOA. This is something Ireland volunteered to do at the start of our term on the Security Council. To be hone…

Ireland has been very involved in this debate. We have had access beyond what we normally have because of involvement in a completely different issue. Of course, issues are all interlinked when it comes to bilateral relationships and relationships with countries in the UN and elsewhere. We have supported targeted sanctions against those responsible for the inappropriate treatment of protesters in Iran. We have supported those targeted sanctions at EU level. Ireland will continue to be very much at the centre of the…

I am familiar with it because we supported it. We were one of the few EU countries to do so. I believe we were one of only five. Others either abstained or voted against it. I wish to convey my heartfelt sympathy and condolences to the families of those killed or injured in the tragic fire in the Jabalia refugee camp in Gaza a few days ago. Turning to the Deputy’s question, I welcomed the adoption by the UN Fourth Committee of the Resolution on "Israeli practices affecting the human rights of the Palestinian people…

Yes.

As the Deputy knows, I have been and continue to be vocal on that issue. I remain seriously concerned by Israel's designation of six Palestinian NGOs, including Irish Aid and EU partner organisations, as terrorist entities. This designation has the potential to affect not only these six organisations, but civil society more broadly across the occupied Palestinian territory. It could seriously undermine vital humanitarian development and human rights work. This issue continues to be a priority for Ireland. In the co…

It is unfortunate the Deputy used a term such as "weasel words" on such an issue.

I thank the Deputy and appreciate that. Ireland is one of the most credible voices on the planet in regard to the Palestinian-Israeli issue. We continue to be at the centre of debate within the EU, trying to make progress where that is not easy. Getting any form of consensus across the EU on new thinking and action in respect of the Middle East peace process has proven very difficult. Believe me, we have been trying and will continue to do so between now and the end of the year. I have spoken to several other forei…

I propose to take Questions Nos. 79 and 144 together. My Department is liaising closely with EU and international partners to provide the most accurate advice possible for citizens travelling to Qatar for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.  Comprehensive World Cup travel advice for Qatar is available on the website of the Department of Foreign Affairs, and citizens are urged to consult this for information on entry requirements, safety and security, local laws and customs etc.  Before departure and during travel, citizens ar…