38. Deputy Sinéad Gibney asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade whether she has advocated for the use of the EU blocking mechanism to protect US citizens in Europe facing sanctions from the Trump administration. [69075/26]

51. Deputy Sinéad Gibney asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the steps her Department is taking to support the work of the International Criminal Court and to oppose the sanctions currently being imposed on judges and prosecutors in the ICC by the United States. [69074/26]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 38 and 51 together.

Ireland is a strong supporter of the International Criminal Court (ICC), which we view as the cornerstone of the international system of criminal justice. I deeply regret the imposition of US sanctions against thirteen officials of the ICC. Such measures threaten to corrode the international legal order on which all states – but particularly small states like Ireland – depend.

I am aware of ongoing reports that the United States is considering sanctioning the ICC as an institution, which would very significantly impede the operational capacity of the Court. The ICC must be allowed to continue its important work, independently and impartially.

Ireland has been consistent in calling for all measures against the ICC to be withdrawn. The Taoiseach reiterated this principled position during his address to the UN General Assembly during UN High Level Week on 24 September.

The Government believes that a coordinated EU response is the most effective way to protect the ICC and its officials. In our role as President of the EU Council, Ireland is committed to playing its part in maintaining full solidarity with the Court at this crucial moment.

The European Union's Blocking Statute is an important tool available to the EU to help protect European economic operators from the extra-territorial application of third country laws. Ireland has called on the Commission to commence preparatory work on amending the Blocking Statute so that it can be quickly activated to protect the ICC at the most appropriate time, having regard to when its activation will have the greatest impact in defending the Court and ensuring continuity of its activities. We stand fully ready to ensure the earliest possible consideration by the Council of any Commission proposal to apply the EU’s Blocking Statute to US sanctions on the ICC.

In addition, it's essential to support the ICC in building resilience and encouraging financial institutions and service providers to continue to engage with the Court. Ireland has been actively engaging with fellow EU Member States and the European Commission to this end.

Ireland will continue to work with the Court, relevant stakeholders and our international partners in support of the ICC and its vital mandate to end impunity.