Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

For many years, the issue of sanctions has been at EU level because of the collective weight of the EU in any given situation. We obviously weigh up the impact of sanctions to make sure they can be effective in changing policy, or in articulating our opposition to bad acts such as Russia's invasion of Ukraine. What is positive is that now under active discussion is the idea of sanctions against violent Israeli settlers in the West Bank. I would not have thought that possible six months ago. Ireland has strongly pushed for that at EU level, and will continue to do so. I am hopeful that will materialise at the EU Council meeting. I think that is an effective approach. I have concerns about Lebanon and the need to avoid regional escalation. As part of our efforts in the past two weeks I went to Berlin to meet with the German foreign minister. We met with the Arab states on Monday, and with the Israeli foreign minister. I made it very clear there has to be avoidance of regional escalation, but there are no guarantees with the Israeli position on Lebanon, which I find worrying and concerning.

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