Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I hear what the Deputy is saying but I do not think that is a fair assessment of Ireland's position down through the years.

I mention the engagement I have had with the Palestinian Authority, and with President Abbas, for example, whom I met some years ago. There was a strong acknowledgement from the Palestinian Authority and from Palestinians in general that Irish Governments have consistently, for decades now, been supportive of their cause and their desire to have a state of their own within secure and viable borders. That is recognised. When we were campaigning for a seat on the UN Security Council, the one we won, there was a strong sense from Arab countries that Ireland was one of the countries in the European Union and the West that listened to their concerns and took a balanced position on these matters. The Minister of State at the Departments of Rural and Community Development, Social Protection, and Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Deputy Joe O'Brien, has met and engaged with some of the groups that the Deputy has mentioned. We have even provided funding for some of those bodies that have been delisted.

Trade is an EU competence and we can only act on a multilateral level when it comes to something that is clearly an EU issue. On the divestment Bill, there is a timed amendment and we need to give that consideration. We have to bear in mind the consequences of singling out one country of 200. Other countries have questions to answer as well and we would have to give that careful consideration too.

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