TÁNAISTE SIMON HARRIS reiterated his view that he “can’t see any scenario” in which Ireland could take part in US president Donald Trump’s Board of Peace.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin appeared to leave the door open to the prospect yesterday while in Brussels for an emergency EU Council meeting, however, Harris said there were a series of “red flags”. 

While Foreign Affairs Minister Helen McEntee said the government are “at one” when it comes to Trump’s Board of Peace, Harris appeared to double down on his statements today. 

“A board that President Putin has been invited to – I mean, there’s a complete oxymoron – Putin and Peace, first thing,” Harris told reporters at Government Buildings today.

“Secondly, paying a billion dollars? We won’t be doing that. And thirdly, the idea that you’d end up setting up some form of structure that I think essentially competes with the United Nations or something – it is very hard to understand.”

McEntee said today that it has become “very clear” that the so-called “Board of Peace” being assembled by Trump has a much wider remit than the one approved by the UN Security Council.

McEntee said the Government has asked for clarification on whether the group’s remit could focus solely on Gaza.

The board was approved by the UN in November and was envisioned as a small group overseeing the ceasefire agreement between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas and the reconstruction of Gaza, but the charter sent out with invitations to a host of governments around the world makes no mention of Palestine.

A slide from Jared Kushner's presentation about the future of the Gaza Strip

Many of those countries that were invited earlier this week have yet to confirm their participation and some have ruled out joining it completely, with much of the criticism indicating Trump may be attempting to create his own organisation to rival the UN, from which he has withdrawn US funding for many of its agencies and initiatives. 

At a signing event held at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland yesterday, the Trump said the board had the chance to be “one of the most consequential bodies ever created”, and that he was “honoured” to be its chairman.

The signing event for the Board of Peace in Davos Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kusher gave a presentation to the audience at the Swiss ski resort, outlining plans to clear the rubble left by Israel war on the Gaza Strip. 

The “master plan” included the construction of residential beachside properties and data centres, but it did not contain details about whether the land would be bought from its Palestinians owners or how construction could begin while Israel continues to violate the ceasefire. 

Trump has named himself chairman, but he will also “separately serve” as the representative of the US. As chairman, he has endowed himself with almost total control of how the board will function, while also attaching a $1 billion fee for those who wish to become permanent members. 

Related Reads

Taoiseach wants 'clarification' on Trump 'Board of Peace' as Harris says there are 'red flags'

Trump has unveiled his 'Board of Peace' in Davos - here's what we know

Trump appoints Tony Blair, Marco Rubio and his son-in-law to 'Board of Peace' for Gaza

A slide from Jared Kushner's presentation in Davos Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

The 19 countries that have joined the board are Argentina, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bulgaria, Hungary, Indonesia, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Mongolia, Morocco, Pakistan, Paraguay, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates and Uzbekistan.

Former UK prime minister Tony Blair is one of seven people on the executive board, alongside US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner, billionaire financier Marc Rowan, World Bank president Ajay Banga and Robert Gabriel, a loyal Trump aide on the US National Security Council 

So far, France, Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Slovenia have all confirmed they will not join the board.

Assessing the events of the last number of days, Harris said it would be “foolish” to assume that Trump will not threaten tariffs again during his tenure.

He said Europe came “extraordinarily close” to an economic catastrophe this week after the US president threatened to impose tariffs on six EU nations, the UK and Norway from next month over opposition to the US taking over Greenland.

With reporting from Press Association 

Need more information on what is happening in Israel and Palestine? Check out our FactCheck Knowledge Bank for essential reads and guides to navigating the news online.