The Government has responded to President Catherine Connolly’s intervention on Iran by reminding her that it has executive responsibility for foreign affairs. Speaking to political correspondents on Monday, the Government’s spokesman said “successive governments have voiced support for international law”, adding this was “especially important for a small country”. “The Government has also been clear, clear in terms of our support for the UN, the importance of international law and calling for de-escalation,” he said. In her statement on Sunday to mark International Women’s Day, Connolly said the recent attacks in the Middle East have been “deliberate assaults on international law”. We as a Government have been clear that what is happening is not in line, or consistent, with international law.

Source: The Irish Times March 09, 2026 22:24 UTC