It was not exactly a quiet weekend on the international scene, and military action in Iran, the Middle East and the Gulf looks set to dominate much of the political discourse here over the coming days.
The massive wave of US and Israeli attacks on Iran – and the killing of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei – have sharpened the debate about Ireland’s place in the current geopolitical climate.
When asked on Sunday if she believed the US-Israeli war of choice was illegal, Minister for Foreign Affairs Helen McEntee wouldn’t go there, saying instead it was an “extremely, extremely difficult situation”.
McEntee took part in an emergency video conference call of European Union foreign ministers yesterday, as they tried to figure out ways to “de-escalate” the situation and protect regional security.
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European Affairs ministers, including Thomas Byrne, were due to meet in Cyprus on Tuesday, but an Iranian drone attack on the island, which hosts a British air force base, has scuppered that. The incident followed a decision by the British government to allow their bases to be used for “defensive strikes” against Iran.
A meeting of the EU’s lesser-spotted “special Security College” is arranged for today to discuss a response to events.
For what it’s worth, an EU statement issued on Sunday evening called for “maximum restraint” and full respect of international law.
Dublin Airport estimates that between 5,000 and 6,000 passengers are stranded in the Gulf region, which has become a no-fly zone for commercial airlines. With no flights scheduled today between Dublin and the Middle East, the advice to Irish citizens in the region remains to shelter in place.
Meanwhile, with Israeli strikes on Lebanon this morning, McEntee confirmed that Irish peacekeeping troops stationed nearby were safe and accounted for.
Ireland’s place in the world
At home, the Opposition parties have been more definitive in their condemnations of the US “Operation Epic Fury”. Sinn Féin, the Greens and the Social Democrats have all cast aspersions on the supposed intentions behind the military campaign, and the reported killing of scores of schoolchildren in a strike in southern Iran.
The tumult will again drive discussion this week about Ireland’s place in global security.
Social Democrats defence spokeswoman Sinéad Gibney told RTÉ the Government was moving Ireland closer to Nato. She said it was abandoning the UN with the abolition of the “triple lock”, which governs the deployment of Irish soldiers abroad.
Minister for Enterprise Peter Burke said this wasn’t the case at all – and given that several of the UN Security Council members are currently involved in adventures abroad meant that body was no longer what it once was.
Energy prices
Another gathering of the Government’s trade forum has much to chew over today.
The beleaguered participants thought they would only have to worry about the prospect of further tariff chaos from the US commander in chief – but there is now the price of oil and gas to fret about.
A barrel of the black gold is ticking upwards towards $100 – much like it did in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. You may recall some eye-watering prices at the pumps at that time, and the subsequent Government decision to slash excise rates in order to ease the pain of Irish motorists.
The price of natural gas is also on the rise – which not only heats a lot of Irish homes but is burnt to generate electricity.
Should the Iranians refuse to just lie down – and continue to make life difficult for oil tankers around the Strait of Hormuz – then a big price shock could be in store.
The two money ministers will be at the trade forum today – expect questions about whether Simon Harris or Jack Chambers are prepared to soften a significant blow to consumers.
Handily enough, the aforementioned Helen McEntee is chairing the meeting so will be there to brief attendees on the latest developments.
New rent rules
On the domestic front also expect much to-and-fro about the new rent rules that have come into effect.
The Residential Tenancies Act has been depicted by Government parties as enhancing tenant’s rights – and by Sinn Féin as having thrown renters to the wolves.
About 100 people in a Co Wexford housing estate received eviction notices late last week in advance of the change.
