‘Possible’ to condemn Hamas amid ceasefire calls, says Taoiseach

Taoiseach Simon Harris has said “it is entirely possible” to both call for a ceasefire in Gaza while also condemning the actions of Hamas.

Speaking from Government Buildings following a meeting with Spanish prime minister Pedro Sanchez, Mr Harris condemned the actions of Hamas on October 7 and also the conditions faced by citizens in Gaza.

“It’s entirely possible to call out that the state of Israel suffered at the hands of Hamas whilst also saying that there must now be an immediate cessation of violence,” he said.

“The scenes that we’re seeing in Gaza in terms of hunger, thirst, mutilation, death of innocent children, women, men, the destruction of hospitals, schools, homes, has to now stop.

“The only way forward here is a political peace process that brings about a two-state solution to which Ireland had always been committed, as I know Spain has as well.”

He reiterated Ireland’s commitment to recognising the state of Palestine “at the right time” alongside other countries.

The Israeli ambassador to Ireland Dana Erlich said yesterday that recognising the Palestinian state would send “a dangerous signal to Hamas” and “reward terrorism”.

Mr Harris said he was grateful to have met the three presidents of the European institutions and six EU leaders within 48 hours of becoming Taoiseach.

“I think there is an onus on all of us, as does [European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen], those of us who wish to see a ceasefire, to use every lever at our disposal to help maximise political and other pressures to help bring that ceasefire about,” he said.

Mr Harris said he understands there is “a breadth of views” on Gaza in Europe but there is a “narrowing of the gap” on the need for a cessation of violence.

“We stand ready to recognise the state of Palestine, we believe it’s important to do that at the right time. We believe that time is coming closer, we believe it’s important to move with other countries.”

Asked if it was “embarrassing” for Fine Gael to have handed the Gaeltacht portfolio to a Fianna Fáil minister, Mr Harris said chief whip Hildegarde Naughton “could very well” have taken on the role but had received new responsibilities related to special education.

“It’s no secret to anybody this is an area I intend to prioritise in my time as Taoiseach and I wanted to elevate that voice of special educational needs to the Cabinet table,” he said.

“In the context of that and the Irish language it made absolute sense that the Minister of State in the parent Department of the Gaeltacht, Thomas Byrne, would take on the Gaeltacht portfolio.

“This is about doing what is right by the country.”

He said he’s “very proud” of the decision made to hand the Gaeltacht portfolio over to Mr Byrne.