Helen McEntee TD

My statement on the situation in the West Bank:

Thanks to @FrankFeighan and @EndaGloin for joining the visit, and to everyone at Finner for the warm welcome and your service.

Super visit to Finner Camp to meet the personnel of the 28th Infantry Battalion, who serve with dedication at home & on peacekeeping missions overseas. 🇮🇪 Great progress on the new €2.5 million gym, a major investment in the health, wellbeing & training of our Defence Forces.

I want to thank our @defenceforces Air Corps and the Civil Defence who are continuing to assist the National Parks and Wildlife Service, local authorities and local communities services in responding to the wildfire incidents. My thoughts are with those living in impacted areas.

We also discussed ongoing developments in the Middle East, our firm commitment to supporting Ukraine, EU-UK relations, and Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the EU. I look forward to working closely together on issues that matter to citizens across our islands @dfatirl

Great to speak with the UK Foreign Secretary @Ed_Miliband this morning and congratulate him again on his appointment. We discussed the depth & breadth of relations across our countries, which have further developed in recent years, underpinned by the Ireland-UK Joint Framework.

Deeply shocked by the attack at Berlin’s Christopher Street Day last night. Our thoughts are with the victims and their loved ones. We wish the injured a quick recovery. Pride celebrates love, tolerance and diversity. 🇮🇪 will continue to advocate for these values @dfatirl

I condemn the sinister attack by Russia on Latvia’s Honorary Consulate in Sloviansk, in which innocent civilians were killed and injured. Ireland and the EU stand in full solidarity with Latvia, and with the people of Ukraine. Russia’s actions and provocations will not succeed.

My statement on the most recent U.S. tariff announcement:

Minister @HMcEntee welcomed signing into law of new powers for @defenceforces to safeguard Ireland’s maritime domain & protect the State’s sovereign rights in its territorial sea and exclusive economic zone. gov.ie/en/department-…

Today’s agreement a new legal basis for the detection and removal of child sexual abuse material, and enabling the identification of victims and the prosecution of abusers. 🔗 Learn more: consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press…

I welcome the important agreement today by 🇮🇪 Presidency on protecting children online. There is no higher priority than the protection of children from predators. Combatting abuse is vital.

Huge thank you to @meathcoco for organising today’s flag raising ceremony to mark Ireland’s Presidency of the EU and Meath’s twinning with Italy 🇮🇹 in the Presidency County Pairings Programme. #Ireland2026eu

I welcome the agreement on the 21st sanctions package against Russia. At a time when Ukraine has built military momentum, our sanctions continue to weaken the economic foundations of Russia’s war effort. We’re adding 32 more Russian banks to our transaction ban list. As well as crypto firms and oil trading platforms. Freezing the oil price cap adjustment for a year, so that the Russian war machine does not benefit from market shocks. For the first time, we’re targeting vessels assisting Russia’s shadow fleet. And we took an important step towards formally banning Russian combatants from entering the EU. Many thanks to @Ireland2026eu for facilitating this agreement.

Pleased we have agreed the 21st package of sanctions in the first weeks of the 🇮🇪Presidency. This package further targets Russia's revenue streams, impedes its shadow fleet and disrupts its supply-chains. Europe stands with Ukraine against Russia’s brutal war of aggression

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade @HMcEntee launched ‘Common Ground: Ireland and the EU’ at @EPICMuseumCHQ today. Showcasing powerful personal stories, the exhibition shows how the Irish diaspora contributed to and shaped the EU, and how the EU shaped modern Ireland.

Today the Council approved the participation of the UK in the Ukraine support loan. 🇺🇦 This agreement will further the EU's efforts to provide for Ukraine's most urgent needs. 🔗Read more: consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press…

Today I spoke with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer to discuss EU-US trade, the implementation of the Turnberry Agreement, and the importance of maintaining close cooperation. I look forward to further engagement with Ambassador Greer in the coming months.

Delighted to speak with the new UK Secretary of State for Northern Ireland @RhonddaBryant this evening. We discussed our shared commitment to delivering for people and communities across Northern Ireland, as well as making progress on Legacy issues.

In this challenging security environment, cooperation among partners is essential. I want to congratulate @wesstreeting on his appointment as UK Minister for Defence and I look forward to working together @IRLDeptDefence