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Calls for Ireland to recognize the «Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR)» were once again raised in the Irish Parliament by Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire, a member of the opposition Sinn Féin party who has repeatedly addressed the issue.
Responding to an oral question from the parliamentarian, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Neale Richmond reiterated that Ireland supports a political solution under United Nations auspices, in line with international law and the principle of self-determination. He also reaffirmed Dublin’s backing for the UN-led process and for United Nations Security Council Resolution 2797, adopted on October 31.
Unconvinced by the response, Ó Laoghaire criticized the slow pace of efforts to resolve the Sahara issue, arguing that no tangible progress had been achieved. The MP urged Ireland to increase pressure on Morocco by recognizing the «SADR». Last week, Ireland hosted a conference in support of the Polisario Front.
«As a country outside that seeks to be supportive crucially of what this really is, it is a peace process. What went before 1991 was a brutal conflict that cost many lives», Richmond replied.
«The process is sadly at risk based on isolated and sporadic incidences of violence in the region. Certainly, from an Irish Government point of view, the most important thing is not making binary choices and not making declarations; it is upholding the very real process», he added.
The minister also referred to «the recent attacks by the Frente Polisario near Smara», recalling that the UN secretary-general’s personal envoy, Staffan de Mistura, had stressed that «this is a time for dialogue and negotiations, not a time for military escalation».
For the record, Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire had already asked the Irish government in a written question last April to open discussions with the «SADR».
Since January 23, 2025, Ireland has been governed by a coalition led by Prime Minister Micheál Martin of the center-right Fianna Fáil party.
