Good morning,
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar will attend an emergency meeting of the European Council today to discuss the unfolding crisis in the Middle East.
The Fine Gael leader will attend the meeting via video conference to discuss a possible united response from the European Union. It didn’t take long for cracks to appear in the EU’s approach to the conflict.
First, EU Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi announced that the Commission would put €691 million in aid to the Palestinian Authority under review, in a move that has raised concerns across the bloc. Within hours, the Irish government made it clear that it did not support any withholding of aid and that there was “no legal basis” for a unilateral decision by a single Commissioner.
Then, last Friday, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen visited the Kfar Aza kibbutz where Hamas fighters murdered many civilians. While in Israel, he offered Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu the EU’s unconditional support. He made no public criticism of Israel’s warning to more than a million people in northern Gaza to leave their homes within 24 hours or face death.
This has not only created major tensions at the highest levels of the European Union, but has brought it even further into conflict with Ireland, where more specialized support has been offered. Ireland’s position is that any use of military force in self-defence must be consistent with international humanitarian law and be both discretionary and proportionate.
Last night President Michael D Higgins weighed in and said von der Leyen’s approach to the Israel-Hamas conflict was “reckless, even reckless”.
So what can we expect from today’s meeting?
Leaders will first consider how the EU can best deliver humanitarian aid and avoid a regional escalation of the conflict or violations of international humanitarian law. They will also discuss the humanitarian consequences of so many displaced people and the implications for security in Europe. They will also discuss their demands for the release of hostages. Israel’s military has updated the number of people it believes are being held hostage in Gaza from 155 to 199.
The EU wants the immediate release of all hostages without any conditions.
Speaking ahead of the meeting, Mr Varadkar said “the rules of war are there to protect civilians, on all sides. The possibility of an escalation of the conflict is of particular concern to Ireland, not only because it will only lead to further unnecessary bloodshed, but also because we have peacekeeping troops in nearby Lebanon and Syria.”
Today, he will raise the possibility of opening a humanitarian corridor into Gaza to allow the import of vital life-saving supplies. There may also be a possible call for a ceasefire.
Follow Irishtimes.com for updates throughout the day.
Brewing problem at the Ministry of Health
Back home, opposition parties are expected to use some of their time today to ask Health Secretary Stephen Donnelly and Exchequer Paschal Donohoe why the HSE says it is underfunded by billions next year. Mr Donnelly will aim to make savings of more than €600m in the health service next year, with a major focus on hospital spending and the use of agency staff. His demand for increased productivity from hospitals follows painful 2024 budget negotiations in which he received an extra €800 million in core funding despite asking for more than €2 billion. A war of words has also started within the Coalition for the reasons for this year’s health expenditure overrun, which is expected to exceed 1 billion euros. Ahead of today’s Dáil proceedings, here’s a piece detailing planned “efficiency savings” that could cause serious political headaches next year.
Pat Leahy also this morning explains exactly what is going on with health service funding.
This morning the Council of Ministers
After announcing a €2.3bn one-off aid package in the 2024 budget, Ministers will today agree on the dates for payments.
Energy Secretary Eamon Ryan will inform the Government that the three universal payments of €150 each to cover higher electricity costs will be paid on 1 December, 1 January 2024 and 1 March 2024.
Social Protection Minister Heather Humphreys will brief ministerial colleagues on the timetable for paying the lump sums, with payment dates from November to the end of next January. Read the schedule of payment dates here.
Meanwhile, Integration Minister Roderic O’Gorman will tell this morning’s meeting that he expects Ireland to receive €50 million in initial funding from the new EU Asylum Migration and Integration Fund.
It provides funds for program refugees – those who have refugee status and are fleeing conflict zones such as Syria and Afghanistan. The fund also covers payment for transfers of those within the International Protection system between Member States.
Mr O’Gorman will say he expects Ireland to receive €50m of funding initially, with future funding also expected.
Better readings
How the first 24 hours after Hamas attacked Israel produced possibly the worst 24 hours in social media
The Polish president praises the election’s record turnout as proof of a stable democracy
Saudi Arabia halts normalization talks with Israel, demands end to Gaza siege
‘Wild west stuff’ in Clare as bystander shot in buttocks during drug bust
Playbook
Dáil Éireann
Leaders’ Questions take place at 2 p.m. when Sinn Féin, the Social Democrats, the Regional Group and the Independent Countryside Group take on the government on issues of the day. The Order of Business will follow shortly after 2.30pm. and questions to the Taoiseach shortly after 3pm. Education Minister Norma Foley will answer her questions at 3.49pm. There will be statements on the final report of the independent inquiry into the death of Shane O’Farrell at 5.19pm. Sinn Féin has the private member’s business area with a funding proposal for disabled people. The Dáil adjourns at 10pm.
Seanad
Opening Topics begin at 1:00 PM followed by the Order of Business at 2:00 PM. At 7pm, there will be statements on the final report of the independent inquiry into the death of Shane O’Farrell. The Seanad adjourns at 8.15pm.
Committees
At 10.30am, the Joint Committee on Assisted Dying will hear from health professionals, including representatives of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland from the Irish Association of Hospital Consultants and Irish doctors who support medical assistance in dying. At 11 a.m., the Joint Committee on Education will discuss supporting survivors of institutional abuse. The panel will hear from One in Four, The Christine Buckley Center and others. Tánaiste Micheál Martin will appear before the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defense at 3.15pm to discuss matters considered at Foreign Affairs Council meetings. The best of the rest can be found here.