Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I confirm that as far as Ireland and the Irish Government are concerned, a negotiated two-state solution is our goal. It has been for some time and continues to be. It also continues to be the objective of the European Union. With particular reference to the settlements, the EU has consistently asserted that they are illegal and has condemned their continued expansion and all policies associated with that. I had the opportunity earlier this year to visit some of the land adjacent to the expanded settlement area and expressed my concern in a meeting with former foreign minister, Mr. Lieberman. I do so on every occasion when I have an opportunity to register a complaint on behalf of the people of Ireland. I again assure the House that the EU continues to prepare guidelines to ensure that settlement goods may not be labelled in a misleading manner. I raised this earlier in the year. Following the intervention of the Irish Government on numerous occasions, this issue remains very much at the top of the agenda at European Foreign Affairs Council level. I expect to see progress on the issue of settlement goods on 11 November, and will be happy to report to the Deputy on that progress.

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