Productive meeting with
@HylandSonja
, Deputy Secretary General of
@dfatirl
🇮🇪
Thanked for the personal participation of the Irish PM at the inaugural Peace Summit. Discussed the deliverables of the event and the joint work on engaging more countries to its final communique✊
Extraordinary that this is happening again to
@vanessa_vash
after the Davos debacle. Climate action can’t be allowed to fall victim to white saviourism. If the conversation isn’t based on experiences & proposed solutions of affected communities, it’s not a serious conversation.
As Irish Ambassador to Ethiopia from 2017 - 2019, I worked closely with some of the
#UN
officials declared persona non grata today. They are individuals of the highest integrity and impartiality, totally committed to the stability and development of
#Ethiopia
and all its people.
Secretary-General
@antonioguterres
was shocked by the information that the Government of Ethiopia has declared seven UN officials, including senior UN humanitarian officials, as persona non grata.
His full statement:
Deeply concerning that a resolution co-sponsored by 99 countries was vetoed
UNSG is clear that without an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza, humanitarian catastrophe is imminent
🇮🇪 has consistently said that the veto is an anachronism & has no place in the 21st century
#BREAKING
United States vetoes Security Council draft resolution that would have demanded an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza, and immediate and unconditional release of all hostages
VOTE
In Favour: 13
Against: 1 (US)
Abstain: 1 (UK)
A peaceful and constitutional handover of power after a free and fair democratic election is something we should never take for granted. To be a citizen of a country which upholds the rule of law is a privilege that every one deserves, but many do not have.
Less than 10 hours to go before we join the
#UN
Security Council.
Thank you to my Political Division team, colleagues across
@dfatirl
& CSO + academic partners for 6 months of rigorous & thoughtful preparation
It’s a huge responsibility. I know we can make a lasting impact
Took up duty this week as Political Director in
@dfatirl
. Great to be back in Ireland after six fascinating & rewarding years in
#Mexico
&
#Ethiopia
. Looking forward to the new challenge and proud to be the first female occupant of the office.
Today’s vote for a place on the
#UN
Security Council is the culmination not just of a 3 year campaign but of decades of commitment by
#Ireland
to sustainable development, human rights, peacekeeping and a rules-based international order. Win or lose, I’m deeply proud to
#work4irl
Finland evacuated 330 persons during last week's operation, including 42 U.S. citizens, 11 Icelandic and 17 Irish citizens. (Friday's numbers via
@Ulkoministerio
)
Clear statement by Minister
@simoncoveney
at the
#UNSC
on Israel/Palestine: ‘Every day we lose in assuming our responsibilities here, at this Council, is a day lost in saving lives. Let us send a clear and united message .... that the cycle of violence and bloodshed must end now’
This short video encapsulates in less than 2 minutes why Ireland is running for membership of the
@UN
Security Council and the values and approach we will bring to the Council. Just 7 days left until the elections!
Minister
@simoncoveney
speaking on
#Ethiopia
at today’s online EU Foreign Minister’s meeting: calling for an immediate ceasefire, unimpeded humanitarian access, and thorough & credible investigations into human rights & IHL violations, esp sexual and gender based violence
A
#NollaigNamBan
wish
Paid full-time work, from home, is a full-time job. Minding children is a full-time job. Home-schooling is a full-time job.
3 jobs ➗ 1 person = 3 separate jobs, incl if done from home
Media& political commentators, please reflect this reality. Thank you
‘Any ceasefire must include actions that serve to improve the humanitarian situation on the ground, not create further obstacles to the humanitarian response’
Powerful and important words by Ireland’s Ambassador at the Security Council debate on
#Tigray
tonight
Important decision to co-sponsor resolution brought by the United Arab Emirates to the UN Security Council
🇮🇪 urges all Council members to vote in favour, reflecting the overwhelming view of the international community that an immediate humanitarian ceasefire is urgently needed
Ireland will co-sponsor 🇦🇪 resolution on
#Gaza
at UN Security Council today, demanding:
- Immediate humanitarian ceasefire.
- Protection of civilians & compliance with int. law.
- Immediate & unconditional release of hostages.
- Urgent humanitarian access.
The Council must act
Taking Germany’s
#UN
Security Council gavel back to Ireland to use judiciously for the next two years! Looking forward to building on Germany’s work in the last 2 years, esp on non-proliferation, women, peace and security, climate and security & international humanitarian law
„Es ist gut zu wissen, dass uns mit Irland eine starke Stimme aus der EU im Sicherheitsrat nachfolgt. Wir haben in zwei intensiven Jahren unsere Einflussmöglichkeiten genutzt, wo wir konnten. Ich möchte Dir diesen Hammer als Glücksbringer überlassen.“
@HeikoMaas
&
@Simoncoveney
Tánaiste
@MichealMartinTD
announces €20 million for
@UNRWA
for 2024 during visit of
@UNLazzarini
to Dublin
157 UN members states approved UNRWA’s mandate to support Palestinian refugees. This can not be undermined or dismantled.
Good meeting with Egyptian FM Sameh Shoukry
We greatly appreciate Egypt’s help in the exit of our citizens from Gaza. Significant numbers are leaving through Rafah Crossing today
Also discussed the case of Emily Hand. Hostages must be released immediately and unconditionally
Strong statement today by Minister
@simoncoveney
at the UN Security Council, following his visit to
#Kyiv
&
#Bucha
last week.
‘Ireland cannot and will not remain silent while this senseless and devastating war continues’
My parents, Bill Hyland &
@ainehyland
, met while working together in
@Education_Ire
under Donogh O’Malley on the Investment in Education report that led to the free secondary education policy. Result: millions of young Irish people educated over 5 decades (& 3 daughters!)
#OnThisDay
1966, Donogh O’Malley, Fianna Fáil’s Minister for Education, announced free secondary school education in Ireland. A hugely popular move with the public, it contributed to Ireland’s rapid economic expansion in later decades due to the better education standards.
Jim had the steadiest of steady hands, the driest of humour and the coolest of heads. He was the epitome of a great public servant. Most importantly, he was a fundamentally decent and kind human being. We are so much the poorer without him.
Today the Irish mission mourns an outstanding diplomat, generous colleague, and dear friend, Jim Kelly.
Our deepest condolences and love to his family for this unspeakable loss. We are all heartbroken.
The first 50 world leaders to speak at the General Assembly this year were men.
Yes, 50.
‘Women belong in all the places where decisions are being made. It shouldn’t be that women are the exception’ - Ruth Bader Ginsburg
#RGB
#Slovakia
#UN75
(1st woman leader to speak):
We need responsible leadership, based on facts/knowledge & not selfish interest of those in power. Incompetence has fatal consequences.
People need to know they are protected & not lied to. Hoaxes proven to be esp dangerous
#Covid19
A historic decision by 🇮🇪 🇳🇴 🇪🇸 to formally recognise the State of Palestine
Big thank you to all my
@dfatirl
colleagues - thinking especially today of the late Jim Kelly & James Kingston, who both worked over many years to support Palestinian self-determination
Today, the Government announces it will formally recognise the State of Palestine on May 28th.
Today, we state clearly our unambiguous support for the equal right to security, dignity, and self-determination for the Palestinian and Israeli peoples.
Disappointing that Council remained silent on the situation in
#Israel
&
#Palestine
. We’ve been working hard with
@EstoniaUN
&
@franceonu
on this clear statement of EU policy. Proud of Ireland’s leadership at the
#UN
on this & the tireless work of
@irishmissionun
colleagues.
Stakeout from EU members of the Council Ireland, Estonia and France, as well as Norway following the Security Council's emergency consultations this morning to discuss the situation in
#Gaza
&
#EastJerusalem
.
Full statement ⬇️🇪🇺🇮🇪🇪🇪🇫🇷&🇳🇴
Important decision that Ireland will intervene in the South Africa v Israel case at the ICJ
Accountability is the cornerstone of international law & the functioning of the global multilateral system; in respect of all parties to all conflicts, state and non-state actors alike
Thinking today of 2 of the colleagues we lost in 2022
James taught me everything I know about international humanitarian law & why it matters so much
Jim was my oracle on all things UN & always the calm in the midst of the roughest of storms
Inspirational men, sorely missed
Very busy day in
#Beirut
with
@simoncoveney
, meetings with Min for Foreign Affairs, Defence,
#LAF
Commander, UN & NGO partners, Lebanese civil society & visit to Beirut port. Strong reaffirmation of peacekeeping, humanitarian & political partnership between
#Ireland
&
#Lebanon
In int. law - the law of armed conflict - there is no hierarchy in pain and suffering
These rules exist to help preserve humanity in the darkest moments, and they desperately need to be followed today
They are and should remain our compass to ensure that we put humanity first
Just back from
#Tehran
with Minister
@simoncoveney
. Productive talks with President Raisi and FM Amir-Abdollahian. Talks on a return to the Iran nuclear deal -
#JCPOA
- have reached a crucial stage. As Security Council facilitator, we encouraged Iran to take the final steps.
#Afghanistan
| Ces derniers jours, dans des circonstances exceptionnellement difficiles, la France a évacué de Kaboul près de 3000 personnes, essentiellement des Afghanes et des Afghans menacés en besoin de protection.
On Ireland’s behalf, I am proud to reaffirm our unwavering commitment to the 2030 Agenda and to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.
We will play our part in ensuring that the world’s poorest and most vulnerable are not forgotten or left behind.
Very disappointing. Our team in
@irishmissionun
@dfatirl
& our Embassies across the world worked tirelessly to take a modest first step to address the links between climate and security.
Our Ambassador in New York said it for all of us.
‘For our part, we remain undaunted’
Today, Ireland and Niger brought forward a Security Council resolution on Climate and Security which was co-sponsored by 113 UN member states.
We regret the decision of one country to use its veto to block the adoption of this ground-breaking resolution.
Great news - congratulations
@Paschald
! In the last 3 weeks, Ireland has been elected to the
@UN
Security Council, to lead the
@EMA_News
and to chair the Eurogroup. A strong indication of the respect that Ireland commands internationally and our strong EU and global partnerships
Thinking today of the Irish men and women serving on peacekeeping duty overseas, and in particular of
@irishpolbatt
in Lebanon, dealing with the terrible loss of Pte Seán Rooney
Thank you for your service
Wide ranging consultations this week in
#Tehran
, focused on
#JCPOA
,
#humanrights
, regional issues incl Syria, Yemen and Iraq, disarmament and non-proliferation, and 🇮🇪- 🇮🇷 bilateral relations. We signed an MoU on Political Consultations, committing to ongoing dialogue
The Ethiopian government has informed Ireland’s Embassy in Addis Ababa that four of the six Irish diplomats serving at the Embassy must leave the country within one week.
Full statement:
Two years on
Grateful for the opportunity to make a difference
Enormously proud of the relentless effort, commitment & ingenuity of everyone in
@dfatirl
,
@irishmissionun
& our Embassies worldwide
Convinced that the
#UN
Charter is more relevant than ever
#HappyNewYear2023
!
Less than 10 hours to go before we join the
#UN
Security Council.
Thank you to my Political Division team, colleagues across
@dfatirl
& CSO + academic partners for 6 months of rigorous & thoughtful preparation
It’s a huge responsibility. I know we can make a lasting impact
On the eve of the 75th anniversary of the liberation of
#Auschwitz
, a privilege to represent
#Ireland
at the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance, amongst 34 countries adopting a Declaration to honour victims & commit to a world without genocide
#IHRA2020
@TheIHRA
7 weeks out from the renewal of the
@UNIFIL_
mandate by the UN Security Council, great opportunity to hear from the men & women serving in
@irishpolbatt
@defenceforces
on the realities of implementation on the ground. So proud of Ireland’s ongoing contribution to
@UNPeacekeeping
Great to meet US Secretary of State
@SecBlinken
- at
@ShannonAirport
this evening on his way to the Middle East. Really constructive discussion on EU/US relations, MEPP, Iran Nuclear Deal &
#Belarus
.
🇺🇸🇮🇪
Excited to welcome a new cohort of interns into Political Division this year to work on disarmament and non-proliferation, conflict resolution, human rights, Middle East, Afghanistan & more. A great opportunity to work with us during Ireland’s
#UNSC
tenure.
Ireland lost the wonderful Micheál Ryan in this tragic crash, a great humanitarian and a much loved father, husband, son, brother, uncle and friend. We keep his photograph at
@IrlEmbEthiopia
to remember him every day. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis
@WFP
@WFP_Ethiopia
@dfatirl
Two years ago, the
@UN
family lost 21 of our colleagues in a tragic plane crash in Ethiopia.
We continue to honour their legacy, keeping their spirit of service alive in our work.
My thoughts are with the families and loved ones of all the victims.
Busy day in Mogadishu yesterday with Minister
@simoncoveney
, discussing political & security challenges with Gov. of Somalia, UN, EU, AMISOM and civil society. Visit comes ahead of renewal of mandates of
@UNSomalia
,
@amisomsomalia
and sanctions regime by the
#UN
Security Council
‘We have heard the argument that issues like climate, hunger and human rights do not belong in the Security Council ... do not belong in discussions of international peace and security ... Let me be very clear. We reject that argument’
@MichealMartinTD
Proud to work for a country that has made clear we are militarily neutral, but not politically neutral
The brutal Russian invasion of
#Ukraine
is a blatant violation of the
#UN
Charter
Respect for international law is the cornerstone of Irish foreign policy
Welcome to Ukraine, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar
@LeoVaradkar
. Today, we will hold important negotiations - security, political cooperation, justice for Ukraine and our economic cooperation.
Although Ireland is a neutral country, this neutrality does not mean indifference, and this is
Early start this Sunday morning in NY - heading to
#UN
HQ w/ Tánaiste
@MichealMartinTD
where he’ll open the Food Systems event
#SDGs
can not be achieved without consistent investment in sustainable food systems to tackle hunger & under nutrition
UN General Assembly kicks off this week. Countries from around the🌎will gather to act on global issues.
As Ireland marks 100 years of peace building, we will advocate strongly for our values of fairness, equality and solidarity
#Ireland
🇮🇪 at
#UNGA23
🇺🇳
This is
#GlobalIreland
Taoiseach
@MichealMartinTD
speaking at the UN General Assembly
‘Abiding by international law brings immeasurable benefits .. and our commitment to multilateralism is not simply a stock phrase to insert into a speech, but is at the heart of who we are as a nation and as a people’
Delighted to join colleagues from India, Kenya, Mexico & Norway today as
@irishmissionun
became an official observer
@UN
Security Council as an incoming member.
Looking forward to a productive term working with all Council members in support of international peace & security.
“Diplomacy is about innovation, creativity, flexibility, advocacy & developing & maintaining relationships. You can only do that if you use all, not half of your population.”
🇮🇪 is proud that over half our diplomatic missions are led by women
Happy
#IWD2024
from
@dfatirl
This is what our term on the Security Council is about - making a difference in the lives of the most vulnerable people
339 million people globally need humanitarian assistance - this resolution removes obstacles from delivering that assistance
Today the UN Security Council 🇺🇳 adopted a landmark resolution to help ensure that UN sanctions do not curtail the activities of humanitarian organisations. 🇮🇪 and 🇺🇸 led negotiations on Resolution 2664, which was co-sponsored by over 40 States.
Congratulations to
@DrTedros
on his election to serve a second term as DG of the World Health Organisation, with the overwhelming support of UN Member States. Ireland, along with many partner countries across the globe, was proud to co-nominate him.
@WHO
@IrelandUNGeneva
Humbled & honoured to be elected to serve a 2nd term as
@WHO
Director-General. I'm deeply grateful for the trust & confidence of Member States. I thank all
#healthworkers
& my
@WHO
colleagues around the 🌍. I look forward to continuing our journey together.
#ProudToBeWHO
#WHA75
Delighted to see Anne Anderson, 🇮🇪’s former Amb. to UN 🇺🇳, reappointed by UNSG
@antonioguterres
to the Advisory Group of the
@UN
Peacebuilding Fund for the next 2 years. The Group plays a crucial role in advising and guiding the UN &
@UNPeacebuilding
at this critical time.
#SDG16
Having worked on repatriation efforts in the first weeks of the
#Afghanistan
crisis, great to see ongoing success in getting people home. Proud of our small team in
@IrelandEmbUAE
who have worked tirelessly to support Irish citizens & family members throughout.
Good news from
#Qatar
. An additional 25 Irish citizens or dependents have been taken safely by air from Afghanistan. Thank you to our consular team in HQ & the region for all their work.
@dfatirl
still actively helping others.
A year on from the devastating Ethiopian Airlines crash in Addis, we remember all those who died, particularly Micheál Ryan, a great humanitarian and Irishman. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.
‘Unfounded allegations’: EU resumes funding of Palestinian NGOs via
@AJEnglish
Irish support to
@alhaq_org
continued unabated.
Key role of civil society is to question, challenge & hold government accountable - vital in a democratic & pluralist society
Visited Bab Al Hawa with Min
@simoncoveney
&
@IrlEmbAnkara
in January. Will not easily forget what we heard from UN agencies & Irish + Syrian NGOs on the needs in northwest
#Syria
. Enormously proud of the tireless work of
@dfatirl
&
@irishmissionun
teams to get this over the line
With
#Norway
, we’ve worked day & night for 6 mths to ensure that cross border aid continues to reach 2.7m
#Syrians
through Bab Al Hawa Border crossing. Security Council has just adopted our Resolution. Proud & important day for
#Ireland
- our biggest achievement on UNSC so far!
No better way to spend my last weekend in Addis than hiking in beautiful
#Derba
with the friends & colleagues that have made the last two years so special. አመሰግናለሁ
A privilege to accompany Tánaiste
@MichealMartinTD
to
#Israel
,
#Palestine
&
#Jordan
Contributing to a just and sustainable solution to the conflict remains central to Irish foreign policy
Despite many challenges, proud of 🇮🇪 dynamic work with many partners across the region
#BringYourDogToWorkDay
is much easier when work & home are the same place due to
#COVID19
. Winning the internecine battle for access to a table and a chair near enough to the WiFi router to support a video call - far, far trickier
Busy two days with Minister
@simoncoveney
meeting
#Emirati
,
#Saudi
and
#GCC
counterparts. Extensive discussions on Security Council agenda including Syria, MEPP, Yemen, Lebanon, JCPOA & Horn of Africa, as well as bilateral & human rights issues
3/3
Took the opportunity to visit the famine ship sculpture gifted to
@UN
by
#Ireland
- reflecting the extraordinary journey made by the Irish people & nation in past 180 years & centrality of the UN Charter to our sovereignty & prosperity
55,753 steps later, homeward bound!
Doing my final media interview as Ambassador of
@IrlEmbEthiopia
with
@EthiopianNewsA
. Talked about Ireland’s support for Ethiopia’s political & economic reform agenda, work on poverty reduction via
@Irish_Aid
& Ethiopia’s important role in peace & security in the Horn of Africa
At a time of immense suffering across the Middle East, inspiring to see the enthusiasm, commitment and talent of these Palestinian students.
Having visited
@UNRWA
schools in the West Bank, Gaza and Jordan over the last 5 years, my admiration for their work only grows
This morning I visited an
@UNRWA
school at the Talibeh Palestinian refugee camp in Amman.
It was a pleasure to meet the students and teachers.
This is clear evidence of UNRWA’s key role in creating opportunities & a future for young Palestinian refugees.
Wonderful news from Brussels this evening - this decision is a tribute to the incredible determination of the
#Ukrainian
&
#Moldovan
people to fight on every front for their freedom, sovereignty & self-determination
#Вітаємо!
#felicit
ări!
Historic decision by EU leaders this evening.
I was an early advocate of Ukraine’s accession to the EU - and the people of
#Ukraine
and
#Moldova
have made it clear, they want to be part of the European family.
Ireland will support them every step of their journey.
Finishing two intensive days of meetings in
#Amman
&
#Cairo
on Gaza crisis
Privilege to meet and thank the fantastic team in
@IRLEmbCairo
who’ve worked day & night to support Irish citizens & families exiting Gaza
🙏
@IrlAmbJordan
,
@irlambcairo
& teams for v productive visit!
Ireland is committed to funding civil society organisations and human rights defenders in
#Palestine
. We have robust systems in place to ensure funding is used only for the purpose intended. We have seen no evidence to support these claims
Statement by Ireland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Defence, Simon Coveney TD, on the designation of Palestinian NGOs as terrorist organisations. 👇
Minister
@simoncoveney
will today travel to Kyiv to meet with his Ukrainian counterparts- Minister for Foreign Affairs
@DmytroKuleba
and Minister for Defence
@oleksiireznikov
Ireland will continue to support
#Ukraine
following Russia's unjustified and unjustifiable invasion.
The distinction between individuals responsible for violating human rights and the general population is crucial. Ireland works hard to ensure that EU
#sanctions
target perpetrators but minimise humanitarian impact. We’ll take the same approach as a
#UN
Security Council member
Signed some new laws today updating EU/Irish economic sanctions against North Korea, Iran, Venezuela, Nicaragua, Syria, DRC and CAR focusing on the individuals responsible for violating human rights and threatening our security, not ordinary people
Enjoyed briefing
#EU
Ambassadors today on Ireland’s forthcoming UN Security Council membership, along with our new UN Director
@gerkeown
. Thanks to Ambassador Potzel &
@EU2020DE
for hosting a lively discussion.
Honoured to lay a wreath today in memory of the victims of the Holocaust on behalf of the Government and people of Ireland.
It is the responsibility of each one of us to make sure the evil of anti-Semitism, hatred and extremism can never take root.
Fruitful discussions with my Iranian counterpart, Ambassador Sa’edat, incl bilateral & EU-Iran relations, non-proliferation & disarmament, JCPOA, migration, human rights, UN Security Council & regional issues. Our 4th meeting in 2 years, reflecting the importance of the dialogue.
2019 was full of unexpected events, including moving continents (again) & an absorbing & consuming new job. The latter brought the unique opportunity to see the Churches of the
#HolySepulchre
& the
#Nativity
- and the lovely privilege to now have a hand-made crib from
#Bethlehem
An important deliverable of Ireland’s Council Presidency, which comes out of the discussion on
#Afghanistan
chaired by
@simoncoveney
in NY last week. A unified approach by the int’l community is key to progress in Afghanistan, especially on the rights of women and girls
@dfatirl
#UNSC
adopted a resolution extending the mandate of the UN Mission in
#Afghanistan
‘til March 2022. The res. calls for
🔹An inclusive & representative government
🔹Participation of women
🔹Upholding human rights
6 months allows critical time to consider the UN’s next steps in AFG