Latest news with #Tanaiste
Middle East Eye
3 days ago
- Politics
- Middle East Eye
Ireland stands by claim Israel committing genocide in Gaza
Ireland's Tanaiste, or deputy prime minister, Simon Harris, defended the government's position on Thursday that Israel is carrying out a genocide in Gaza, Irish broadcaster RTE reported. 'We are the first government in the European Union (EU) to say what Israel is doing is genocide. It is genocide," Harris told an opposition lawmaker during a heated exchange in parliament, known as the the Dáil. That lawmaker, Catherine Connolly, an Independent, accused the government of not doing enough to punish Israel for its 19-month-long war on Gaza, which has killed more than 54,000 Palestinians, more than half of them children, according to the Palestinian health ministry. 'I'm disgusted and sickened, sickened - watching children dying on our television screens and every day I come to work and work with all the people in here to do our best to show leadership at a time of horrific conflict," Harris said. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters 'We're working to support the people of Palestine and the only chamber I ever go into in the entire world where people don't acknowledge that Ireland, the government, the people of Ireland, are standing with the people of Palestine, standing up for human rights, standing up for international law, is here when you get up and distort - with your ideology - the actions of this government." Ireland recognised Palestinian statehood one year ago, and in January, it joined South Africa's genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ). On Thursday, Harris said that a bill banning trade with goods from Israeli settlements - deemed illegal under international law - would move to the foreign affairs committee next month, the Irish Times said. The government is also under pressure to help remove the Central Bank's role in permitting the sale of Israel Bonds in the EU, and to stop any flights over Ireland that may be carrying weapons to Israel, the paper reported. 'I'm proud of the people of this country. I'm proud that we went into an election, and it didn't matter what party you were in, you stood up and said, 'We are going to support the people of Palestine'." Harris's stance was backed by the Taoiseach - or Prime Minister Micheal Martin earlier in the week. 'We have been very consistent in our support to the Palestinian people and their right to self-determination, and in condemning the war crimes and the genocide that is occurring right now,' Martin told the Dail. 'The focus has to be relentlessly on the policies of Prime Minister Netanyahu and the Israeli government, made up of extreme far-right elements who are committing genocide in Gaza right now. In 2018, the Occupied Territories Bill was introduced in Ireland by Independent Senator Frances Black, proposing a ban on trade with businesses operating in illegal Israeli settlements on Palestinian land, but it was ultimately blocked over concerns about breaching EU trade rules. However, an advisory opinion from the ICJ in July marked a turning point in reconsidering the enactment of the Irish bill. The ICJ concluded that Israel's presence in the occupied Palestinian territories is 'unlawful' and the country should 'end its presence in the occupied Palestinian territory as rapidly as possible'. More than 400 of Ireland's senior legal academics and practising lawyers have called on the government to enact the bill in its original form, prohibiting all goods and services in the occupied West Bank, such as Airbnb.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Irish peacekeepers ‘safe and well' after shots fired close to patrol in Lebanon
Irish peacekeepers serving in southern Lebanon have been described as safe and well following the firing of shots close to a patrol. The Irish Defence Forces said they have received reports that a number of shots were fired in the area of a joint Irish United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (Unifil) and Lebanese Armed Forces patrol close to the Blue Line. It is understood the incident took place at around midday close to the village of Yaroun. The Defence Forces can confirm that they have received reports of an incident this morning involving a joint Irish UNIFIL & Lebanese Armed Forces Patrol near the Blue Line in South Lebanon. A number of small arm rounds were fired in the vicinity of the area in which the Patrol… — Óglaigh na hÉireann (@defenceforces) May 29, 2025 None of the Irish personnel – who were recently deployed to Unifil as part of the 126th Infantry Battalion – were injured in the incident. In a statement, Oglaigh na hEireann said a number of small arms rounds were fired in the vicinity of the area where the patrol was operating. 'The patrol withdrew from the area, there were no injuries to the personnel on the patrol and no damage reported to the armoured vehicles they were operating from,' they said. 'All personnel of the Irish Contingent in Lebanon are reported to be safe and well, they continue to monitor the situation in southern Lebanon and are committed to the stability of the region as impartial peacekeepers. 'We wish to remind all actors of their responsibility to ensure the safety and security of UN peacekeepers.' Irish Minister for Defence Simon Harris said he has been briefed on the incident. 'I want to firstly send my best wishes to the Irish Defence Forces personnel affected in today's incident,' the Tanaiste said. 'While I am very pleased to report that all personnel are safe and well, the fact they came under fire while on patrol is deeply worrying. 'Today's incident illustrates the dangers that our peacekeepers face every single day while on a patrol in a region that has been increasingly unstable and volatile.' Earlier Mr Harris announced the renewal of Ireland's Unifil mandate for a further 12 months. 'Ireland is proud to have been part of the Unifil mission since 1978 with 30,000 personnel having served there to date,' he said. 'We are deeply committed to this vital mission, one that supports peace, delivers stability and protects the communities in southern Lebanon.'
The Irish Sun
7 days ago
- Business
- The Irish Sun
Simon Harris welcomes Trump's decision to delay EU tariff talks and calls for ‘substantive & intense negotiation'
SIMON Harris has welcomed Donald's Trump decision to delay EU tariff talks for an extra month. Last Friday, the US President threatened a fifty per cent tariff from June 1 on goods coming from the Advertisement 3 President Donald Trump threatened a fifty per cent tariff from June 1 on goods coming from the EU Credit: Getty Images - Getty 3 European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen revealed that Trump agreed to push back the date Credit: EPA 3 Tanaiste Simon Harris has welcomed the news Credit: © 2025 PA Media, All Rights Reserved Taking to "The EU and Advertisement READ MORE IN NEWS " And now, He "We need to use every day now for substantive & intense negotiation to arrive at a deal that is good for both economies, protects Advertisement Most read in Irish News Latest Exclusive And in a statement today the Tanaiste reiterated his key asks. Harris said: "I want to welcome confirmation from President Trump that the threatened higher tariffs are paused until 9 July. Blistering tariffs turmoil could spiral into WW3 as China fears 'century of humiliation' plus Europe faces crucial choice "This follows contact between President von der Leyen and the US President who spoke yesterday, as well as the discussions on Friday between Commissioner Šefčovič and his US counterparts. "These contacts at the highest political level present the opportunity for negotiations to move forward. This is our priority. We want to see meaningful and substantive talks." Advertisement He continued: "The EU-US economic relationship is an engine of growth for the entire world. There is no doubt that the circumstances are challenging at present but I am confident that we can find a way forward. "Ireland will continue to contribute actively and positively to these efforts. I remain in close and ongoing contact with Commissioner Šefčovič and with our EU partners and, of course, we will continue our outreach to the US. "We have much work to do and no time to waste to find a deal that that is good for both economies and protects jobs and investment." 'SERIOUS NEGOTIATIONS' The date will now be pushed back to July as both parties try to reach a deal. Advertisement Speaking before boarding Air Force One for He said she "wants to get down to serious negotiations" and added that she vowed to "rapidly get together and see if we can work something out". He told reporters that Von der Leyen "just called me... and she asked for an extension in the June 1 date. And she said she wants to get down to serious negotiation. "We had a very nice call and I agreed to move it. I believe July 9 would be the date. That was the date she requested. She said we will rapidly get together and see if we can work something out". Advertisement
The Irish Sun
21-05-2025
- Politics
- The Irish Sun
2 Irish officials fired upon by Israeli troops during West Bank visit as Harris slams ‘completely unacceptable' incident
SHOTS were fired by Israeli troops near a European Union delegation that included two Irish diplomats, it has emerged. The incident, in which there were no injuries, took place in Jenin in the West Bank in Palestine earlier today. Tanaiste and Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Harris said he condemned what happened "in the strongest terms". He posted on X: "I am shocked and appalled at reports that the IDF fired shots in the vicinity of a visit to Jenin today by a group of diplomats, including two Irish diplomats based in Ramallah. "Fortunately, no-one was hurt. This is completely unacceptable and I condemn it in the strongest terms." More to follow. Read more in News 1 Tanaiste and Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Harris condemned the incident Credit: Brian Lawless/PA Wire
The Irish Sun
19-05-2025
- Politics
- The Irish Sun
I want the family to have truth & justice, says Harris reiterating support for public inquiry into murder of Sean Brown
A PUBLIC inquiry is currently the only way to deliver a human rights-compliant investigation into the murder of GAA official Sean Brown, the Tanaiste has insisted. 2 Sean Brown was ambushed, kidnapped and murdered in May 1997 2 Simon Harris has backed a public inquiry into the murder of GAA official Sean Brown Credit: � 2024 PA Media, All Rights Reserved Mr Brown, 61, the then chairman of Wolfe Tones No-one has ever been convicted of his killing. Preliminary inquest proceedings last year heard that in excess of 25 people had been linked by intelligence to the murder, including several state agents. Read more on Sean Brown It had also been alleged in court that surveillance of a suspect in the murder was temporarily stopped on the evening of the killing, only to resume again the following morning. This year Appeal Court judges in Belfast affirmed an earlier High Court ruling compelling the Government to hold a However, Mr Benn is attempting to take the case onward for further appeal at the Supreme Court, insisting the case involves a key constitutional principle of who should order public inquiries, the Government or the judiciary. Mr Harris met with members of the Brown family, including Mr Brown's 87-year-old widow Bridie, in Most read in The Irish Sun After meeting with political leaders at Stormont to discuss legacy issues, the Tanaiste made clear he supported the family's call for a public inquiry. He said: 'That's been the long-established position of the 'PAIN AND SUFFERING' 'I want the Brown family to have a mechanism that has never been provided to them, which has to be Article Two (of the European Convention on Human Rights) compliant in terms of human rights and international law. 'I met the Brown family last week, and I was really, really taken by the huge level of pain and suffering, and the lack of answers that they are going on, that is continuing to this very day. 'A public inquiry is currently the only mechanism for it that is Article Two compliant.' CLEAR VIEW Asked about the potential Supreme Court appeal, the 'I want the family to have truth and justice that has been denied to them to date, and I want them to have it in a way that is Article Two compliant. 'I supported their calls for an inquiry. 'I don't want to comment on any ongoing legal processes out of respect to the different roles that I and the British Government have, but I very much support the Brown family.' Bellaghy came to a standstill on Friday evening as thousands of people showed their support for the Brown family's call for a public inquiry. FAMILY SUPPORT People travelled from across the island of Ireland, including as far away as Co Those in attendance included First Minister Michelle O'Neill, Many wore GAA shirts from their home clubs or counties as they showed solidarity with the Brown family. There was a spontaneous round of applause for Mr Brown's family who led the procession as it reached the town centre. 'DEEPLY SHOCKING' Mr Benn said: 'I've met the Brown family, and the murder of Sean Brown was deeply shocking and brutal. 'I want there to be a full, thorough and independent investigation into his murder. 'The reason that the Government is appealing is there's a wider principle at stake here. 'But I have the greatest sympathy for the Brown family and all of the other families in Northern Ireland for what they have been through.'
