Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Our position on settlements is absolutely clear and we are opposed to them. As I outlined earlier, the Government's position on what it would like to see happen is a two-state solution for Palestine and Israel. The Control of Economic Activity (Occupied Territories) Bill 2018, however, is different, given that it would move into an EU competence. The Attorney General's advice on this is clear and will not change.

I am not aware of any lobbying that has been ongoing. The Tánaiste stated we had received votes from many of the Middle Eastern countries as well as from throughout the globe, given the overall figure we received. It is very good that we have gained a seat on the UN Security Council because it will put us at the very heart of the decision-making process for the big international peace issues, including that which the Deputy raised. It will give us the opportunity to be around the table with the key member states in this regard and to progress the issue even further.

See this speech in context