Notwithstanding the Irish election taking place later this month, Mr Martin yesterday told TDs that work was progressing at his direction to prepare Ireland’s declaration of intervention in the high-profile proceedings.

South Africa accuses Israel of breaching the Genocide Convention through acts and omissions which are “intended to bring about the destruction of a substantial part of the Palestinian national, racial and ethnical group, that being the part of the Palestinian group in the Gaza Strip”.

The Irish government previously said it would intervene in the case after South Africa had filed its memorial, which happened last week. Israel has until 28 July 2025 to file its counter-memorial.

Mr Martin said: “As the government has made clear on previous occasions, the purpose of interventions by a state in cases such as these is to argue for its interpretation of the Convention in question.

“The government’s decision to intervene in the South African case was based on detailed and rigorous legal analysis. Ireland is a strong supporter of the work of the court, and is deeply committed to international law and accountability.

“We are also committed to supporting and promoting a strict interpretation of the Genocide Convention to ensure the highest level of protection possible for civilians caught up in situations of armed conflict, and to apply the highest standards of conduct on those engaged in conflict.”

He continued: “At my direction, work is progressing on the preparation of Ireland’s declaration of intervention, which it is intended will be filed before the end of this year.

“In formulating this declaration, Ireland will set out a robust basis for its intervention before the court. It is then a matter for the court to rule on its admissibility.

“Subject to the court’s ruling, Ireland will then make substantive submissions to the court on the proper interpretation of the Genocide Convention.”

This, he said, would reflect the approach taken in Ireland’s intervention in Ukraine’s case against Russia, where provisional measures were ordered in March 2022, Ukraine filed its memorial in July 2022, and Ireland made its declaration of intervention in September 2022.

Mr Martin said: “In both cases, Ireland has made timely Interventions consistent with the ICJ’s rules. We have done so in a considered manner, having regard to the gravity of the facts at issue in each case and a detailed assessment of the applicable legal standards.

“This is not only to ensure the success of our arguments, but also to maintain Ireland’s well-earned reputation as a serious and respected voice in support of the international legal order.”