Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy. At the outset, it has to be clarified that restrictive measures, or sanctions as they are generally referred to, are first and foremost, a policy intervention utilised by the EU in regard to Common Foreign and Security Policy, CFSP. As such, they are predominantly discussed at the EU Foreign Affairs Council. As the Deputy is aware, Ireland is represented at the Foreign Affairs Council by the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and for Defence. The Tánaiste attends meetings of the Council in his capacity as Minister for Foreign Affairs. Any decisions regarding the introduction of EU sanctions are subsequently taken by Council of the European Union.

Given the role of the EU Foreign Affairs Council and ministers for foreign affairs in regard to EU restrictive measures, there is no specific responsibility per se for the Economic and Financial Affairs Council in regard to the discussion, development and implementation of EU restrictive measures. However, matters relating to sanctions have been discussed by finance ministers at their Economic and Financial Affairs Council meetings in the context of economic ramifications for the EU and the economic impact elsewhere in the world. These discussions may relate to new packages of sanctions introduced by the EU. For example, there were discussions on matters regarding Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine, where the Council covered the impact of the sanctions package on the EU economy and its effectiveness in reducing Russia’s ability to continue the war in Ukraine.

In view of the unacceptable levels of violence being perpetrated by certain Israeli settlers against Palestinian communities in the West Bank, in particular since 7 October 2023, Ireland has worked to progress sanctions against violent settlers at EU level. In this regard, the then Taoiseach, Deputy Leo Varadkar, and the Prime Minister of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, wrote to Commission President Ursula von der Leyen last February. This letter called for an urgent review of the European Union-Israel association agreement and to consider whether Israel is complying with its human rights obligations under that agreement. The letter also asked that the Commission propose appropriate measures that could be taken if Israel is found to be in breach of these obligations.

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