Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is actually not. We have done a great amount to try to advance the cause of the two-state solution and to focus the world’s attention on illegal settlements and their expansion. We have contributed to international pressure that has prevented Israel from moving ahead with plans to annex large parts of the West Bank in the summer. We have been active at UN level and have been involved in multiple resolutions. We have been very active at EU level and we continue to be. Only last week I spoke to my German counterpart on what has been described as the Amman Statement where France and Germany met with Jordan and made a statement following that meeting reinforcing EU support for a two-state solution and a rejection of annexation and breaches of international law. We remain in the middle of this debate and continue to try to shape an EU response towards equality of treatment of both Israelis and Palestinians in a way that can lead to a negotiated solution both sides can live with in security and statehood. That is what we will continue to do. We are far from toothless in this area and I can assure the Deputy that we are doing much more than simply expressing criticism. What we cannot do is breach international law ourselves or try to do something that is outside the remit of the Irish Government in trade sanctions or limiting trade. I have explained that to this House on many occasions and this position comes directly from the Attorney General.

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