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2014 News & Events

December 2014

Dail debate on recognition of Palestine, remarks by Minister Flanagan

11 December 2014

I am pleased to have the opportunity to speak on this motion. Regrettably, in the context of the debate, I was away on Government business with President Higgins and Minister Noonan for the last few days; however, I have been kept abreast of the debate which begun yesterday and I will study carefully the views expressed in the House on both sides.

Motion on recognition of the State of Palestine, remarks by Minister of State Sherlock

09 December 2014

For over two decades, successive Irish Governments have provided financial support to build the institutions of a Palestine State; to promote peace building and to meet the immediate needs of the Palestinian people. The motion before the house calls on the Government to do all it can to assist in the development of the democratic and state institutions of the Palestinian State; I believe we are already doing this.

Motion on recognition of the State of Palestine, remarks by Minister of State Murphy

09 December 2014

This evening’s motion “calls on the Government to officially recognise the State of Palestine ... as a further positive contribution to securing a negotiated two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.


November 2014

Seanad Debate on Developments in the Middle East and Ukraine

27 November 2014

I am pleased to be back before the Seanad to report further on developments in the Middle East and Ukraine, following on the specially convened emergency debate held at the end of July.

Statement by Minister for Foreign Affairs, Charlie Flanagan T.D., on the Har Nof synagogue murders

18 November 2014

I condemn absolutely the horrific attack on the Har Nof synagogue in Jerusalem and express my deepest sympathies to the Israeli victims of this brutal and senseless terrorist act and their families. The desecration of a place of worship, in a city held holy by so many people of different faiths around the world, is an unacceptable attack on the freedom of worship.

Minister Flanagan meets EU Foreign Ministers to discuss the Middle East, Ebola and Ukraine

17 November 2014

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Charlie Flanagan TD, will today meet EU Foreign Ministers to discuss the Middle East, Ebola and Ukraine.

Minister’s Statement to the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade

11 November 2014

Chairman, Members of the Committee. I welcome the opportunity to address this Committee for the first time since my appointment as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade.


October 2014

Minister Flanagan condemns announcement of further settlement construction in East Jerusalem

28 October 2014

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Charlie Flanagan, TD, has condemned the Israeli Government’s announcement that it intends to construct 1,060 new housing units in East Jerusalem, as well as twelve new roads in the West Bank.

Minister Flanagan meets EU Foreign Ministers to discuss Ebola, the Middle East and Ukraine

20 October 2014

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Charlie Flanagan TD, is meeting EU Foreign Ministers in Luxembourg today to discuss the EU’s response to Ebola, the Middle East and Ukraine.

Minister Flanagan address at the International Conference in Support of the Reconstruction of Gaza

12 October 2014

Your Excellencies President al-Sisi, President Abbas, Secretary General Ban, other distinguished guests. I am honoured to represent Ireland at this important conference and I applaud the Governments of Egypt and Norway for convening it.

Minister Flanagan announces additional €2.5 million in funding to Gaza

12 October 2014

The Government has announced an additional €2.5 million in funding to Gaza. The announcement was made by Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Charlie Flanagan, TD, in a speech to a major international conference on the reconstruction of Gaza today in Cairo.


September 2014

Address by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Charlie Flanagan, T.D. to the Association of European Journalists (AEJ)

4 September 2014

I would like begin by expressing my appreciation to the Association of European Journalists for extending an invitation for me to speak with you here this afternoon, in particular, thank you to Chairperson Dr. Martin Alioth for his warm welcome. At the risk of sounding parochial, I must say that I am delighted to see my fellow Laois native, Ms. Eileen Dunne, here. As you all know, Eileen currently occupies the esteemed post of International AEJ President – only the second Irish person to hold that illustrious office, the first being Andrew Sheppard, who I am very pleased to see here today.

Statement by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade on Israeli settlement expansion

1 September 2014

The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Mr. Charlie Flanagan T.D., today condemned the announcement by Israeli authorities of the appropriation as state land of a large block of Palestinian land near Bethlehem.


August 2014

Minister Flanagan welcomes ceasefire in Gaza and Israel

26 August 2014

The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Charlie Flanagan, TD, has welcomed the announcement this evening of a ceasefire in Gaza and Israel.

Minister Flanagan expresses regret at the breakdown of the ceasefire in Gaza and Israel

8 August 2014

The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Charlie Flanagan, TD, has expressed his profound regret following the breakdown of the ceasefire in Gaza and Israel.


July 2014

Seanad Éireann Debate on Situation in Gaza

31 July 2014

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Charlie Flanagan TD, today briefed Senators on his ongoing engagement with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, the Egyptian Foreign Minister and the Director General of UNRWA seeking a ceasefire in Gaza.

Briefing note on Ireland's vote at the UN Human Rights Council

31 July 2014

On 23 July there was a vote at the UN Human Rights Council on a resolution entitled: “Ensuring respect for international law in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem."

Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza

29 July 2014

The current hostilities in the Gaza Strip have so far resulted in the deaths of over 1,100 Palestinians, many of them civilians, the wounding of more than 6,233, and more than 200,000 displaced people, many of them seeking refuge in 82 shelters run by UNRWA. 55 Israelis (53 Israeli Defence Force soldiers and 2 civilians) and one Thai national have also lost their lives in the crisis.

Minister Sherlock pledges continued Irish support for the Palestinian people

25 July 2014

Minister of State for Development, Trade Promotion and North South Relations, Seán Sherlock T.D., today reiterated Ireland’s strong support for the Palestinian people, and especially the beleaguered civilian population of Gaza.

Situation in Gaza and Israel - What is Ireland’s position?

25 July 2014

Read more about Ireland’s position on the situation in Gaza and Israel.

Minister Flanagan speaks to Israeli Ambassador: Calls for immediate end to violence

25 July 2014

The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Mr. Charlie Flanagan, T.D., spoke earlier today with the Israeli Ambassador to Ireland, Mr. Boaz Modai, in order to condemn yesterday’s attack on a UN-run school in Gaza and reiterate the very grave concerns of the Irish Government and people at the current situation in Gaza and Israel.

Minister Flanagan meets Palestinian Ambassador

24 July 2014

The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Charlie Flanagan, TD, today met the Palestinian Ambassador, along with Ambassadors from Morocco and Saudi Arabia, and representatives from the Egyptian and UAE Embassies.

Ireland's position at UN Human Rights Council on situation in Gaza and Israel

23 July 2014

Ireland's Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva, Ambassador Patricia O'Brien, outlined Ireland's position on the situation in Gaza and Israel in the following statement delivered this morning, 23rd July.

Minister Flanagan to discuss Ukraine and Gaza with EU Foreign Ministers

22 July 2014

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Charlie Flanagan, TD, is meeting EU Foreign Ministers in Brussels today to discuss the crash of flight MH17 in Ukraine and the current crisis in Gaza.

Government announces €500,000 in emergency funding for Gaza

21 July 2014

The Government today announced funding of €500,000 for the United Nations’ emergency appeal for families affected by the devastating conflict in Gaza.

Minister Flanagan expresses concern to Israeli Ambassador

18 July 2014

The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Mr. Charlie Flanagan, T.D., met this afternoon with the Israeli Ambassador to Ireland, Mr. Boaz Modai.

Dáil Speech on Gaza by Charles Flanagan TD, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

16 July 2014

Addressing a Topical Issues debate on Gaza in the Dáil this afternoon (Wednesday July 16), Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Charles Flanagan TD.

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade supports calls for immediate ceasefire in Gaza and Israel

14 July 2014

The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Mr Charlie Flanagan, TD, has voiced his support for the UN Security Council's call for a ceasefire in the current conflict in Gaza and Israel.

Tánaiste publishes advice on financial and economic activities in Israeli settlements in the OPT

3 July 2014

The Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Eamon Gilmore, TD, has today published advice to Irish citizens and businesses on financial and economic activities in Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.