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

The Government strongly condemns the killing of Al Jazeera reporter Shireen Abu Akleh in Jenin on 11 May 2022. Media freedom and the safety of journalists must be protected and I echo calls for an immediate, impartial and effective investigation. Accountability must be ensured and those responsible brought to justice. I also condemn the excessive use of force by some police at her funeral. Ireland's opposition to the Israeli settlements in the West Bank informs IDA Ireland's engagement with the state of Israel on a range of bilateral issues, including trade, and will continue to do so.

IDA Ireland issued a request for tender for a part-time, Israel-based business development consultant in April 2021. The process was concluded in January 2022 when the business development consultant was appointed. This person will represent IDA Ireland to support its efforts to win new investment. The pathfinder consultant model is regularly used by IDA Ireland in many countries. The newly appointed business development consultant is expected to identify Israeli-headquartered target companies with potential for investing in Ireland, engage with senior decision makers in these companies and present Ireland's value proposition as an investment location.

IDA Ireland and individuals working on its behalf always respect it obligations under Irish and international law, including under the codes of practice to which Ireland is committed. As a statutory agency under the relevant Acts of the Oireachtas, IDA Ireland always acts in line with Government policy. It is guided by the advice of the Department of Foreign Affairs relating to Israeli investment and adheres to the Department's guidance for business enterprises in targeting potential foreign direct investment to Ireland.

IDA Ireland operates an evaluation and due diligence process across all regions and considers a variety of factors that could be associated with investment activities prior to accepting a client into the portfolio. I am advised that IDA Ireland will not target any Israeli companies included on the database of enterprises involved in certain activities relating to settlements in the West Bank as published by the United Nations in February 2020.

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