Sinn Féin spokesperson on Foreign Affairs Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire has called on the Irish Government to publicly rule out supporting Lana Nusseibeh's candidacy for the position of United Nations Secretary-General.

In a statement, the Cork South Central TD argued that Ireland should send a clear message to the United Arab Emirates about its alleged involvement in the conflict in Sudan.

Ó Laoghaire said the government must not reward a diplomat who, in his view, has downplayed the humanitarian crisis in Sudan and the UAE's role in it.

He referenced the UN Independent International Fact-Finding Mission's finding that there were reasonable grounds to believe the UAE facilitated recruitment, transport, logistics, weapons transfers, and other military support benefiting the Rapid Support Forces.

The TD said Nusseibeh, in her role as Emirati Minister for Political Affairs and Envoy for the Minister of Foreign Affairs, had repeatedly denied her government's support for the RSF and described reports of Emirati backing for any Sudanese faction as unfounded.

Ó Laoghaire said the Irish Government has previously expressed horror at massacres in El Fasher and criticised governments facilitating arms flows to Sudan, including the UAE.

He urged Minister Helen McEntee to rule out support for Nusseibeh's candidacy and called for a UN Secretary-General who demonstrates commitment to human rights and peacebuilding.