Tánaiste 'puzzled' by opposition's reaction to Ireland's Gaza response

Micheál Martin says Palestinian officials are welcoming the support of the Irish government

Micheál Martin said that he is “puzzled” by the reaction of opposition TDs to Ireland’s response to attacks in Gaza. Photo: Gareth Chaney/Collins

Tánaiste Micheál Martin says that there is a “disconnect” between how Ireland’s response to the ongoing war in Gaza is seen by the opposition and internationally.

Speaking in the Dáil this evening, Mr Martin said that he is “puzzled” by the reaction of opposition TDs to Ireland’s response to attacks in Gaza, when Palestinian officials are welcoming the Government’s support.

“I cannot help but be puzzled by the disconnect between what I hear in this chamber and what I hear internationally,” Mr Martin told the Dáil.

“What we hear from the opposition benches is that the Government should be ashamed – of not doing enough, of not representing the will of the Irish people, of letting down the Palestinian people.

“But shame is not the word I hear outside this House. Shame is not the word I hear from our partners in Palestine and across the Arab world and the Global South; from the UN agencies and civil society organisations that we work with.

“What I hear from them is gratitude for the principled position taken by Ireland, for our tireless work and advocacy internationally and our political, financial, diplomatic, and moral support for Palestine.” 

Mr Martin said that he has received requests for Ireland to maintain its current position and be a “principled and effective” voice within both the EU and UN on Palestine.

The Tánaiste was speaking during a Sinn Féin motion on the International Court of Justice and Gaza, calling on the Government to declare its intention to intervene in South Africa’s genocide case against Israel.

In response, Mr Martin said that Ireland will consider whether to intervene “in the right way and at the right time”, citing that officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs have already met with their South African counterparts.

He was critical of the opposition calling on Ireland to join the South African case, saying that this is not how the ICJ works.

In particular, Mr Martin referenced the Ukraine v Russia case, where no interventions were filed before Ukraine had brought forward its main case – or memorial – with the ICJ.

“If what we are seeking is accountability, rather than political grandstanding, then is it essential that we do this properly,” Mr Martin said.

Introducing the Sinn Féin motion, the party’s foreign affairs spokesperson Matt Carthy said that the provisional measures from the ICJ were “historic”.

“Crucially, the court clarified that the Palestinian people of Gaza are entitled to be protected from acts of genocide under the convention. It clearly stated that some of the claims made by South Africa are plausible,” Mr Carthy said.

“In effect, the ICJ has found that genocide may or may imminently be committed by Israel against the Palestinian people of Gaza.” 

Mr Carthy said that this means the Government “can no longer deny” that there is an imminent threat of genocide in Gaza.

“The Government can and should file a declaration of intention to intervene in this case with the ICJ. It can immediately commence the process for participation in this case,” he added.

The Tánaiste also raised concerns about the cutting of funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), which is a key provider for humanitarian support for Gaza.

While Mr Martin said that allegations that a number of UNWRA staff were involved in the October 7 attack on Israel were “extremely serious”, he said he was “deeply concerned” at donors cutting off support.

“There has never been greater urgency for UNRWA to be able to fulfil its mandate. It is the only organisation with the capacity to deliver aid in sufficient quantities in Gaza. 2.3 million civilians in Gaza can be the ones to pay the price for possible criminal actions by 12 people,” Mr Martin said.