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

The clear message from my extensive engagement with international partners, who have expressly welcomed the approach of the Government, is that we sustain it. These efforts are continuing as we speak.

As this House is aware, steps are being taken by the Israeli Parliament against UNRWA. These could bring about the collapse of the entire humanitarian response in Gaza, which rests on UNRWA’s infrastructure. The Government is working within the EU, as well as with a core group of like-minded states at the United Nations, to explore all possible political and legal avenues to protect the role played by UNRWA. This is consistent with the Government’s steadfast support for UNRWA in the face of continuing and systematic attacks from the Israeli Government. This political support was further underscored by the immediate provision of an additional €20 million of support for UNRWA earlier this year, announced in the presence of Commissioner General Lazzarini during his visit to Dublin in February. This leadership at a critical juncture had a material impact on the approach of other donors, including the European Union. That is real action which had real impact and changed the direction of travel in Europe towards UNRWA. There is no question about that and Ireland led on it. It was very impactful for the people of Palestine and that has to be acknowledged.

Ireland's recognition of the State of Palestine was a deeply significant moment in our bilateral relations with Palestine and a clear signal to the rest of the world of Ireland’s solidarity at a time of immense despair for the Palestinian people. I already set out the Government’s approach in detail to this House in May. What I wish to underline at this point is that the timing and context of this decision were carefully calibrated with other partners to build momentum behind the Arab peace plan and implementation of the two-state solution. This momentum has continued in recent months, including through the launch of the global alliance for implementation of the two-state solution during UN high-level week last September. This will include several follow-up meetings at senior official level, the first of which took place last week. I stress that our decision to recognise the State of Palestine was a national prerogative, fulfilling a commitment in the programme for Government. However, the Government’s decision was taken to ensure a strategic approach and a meaningful impact on the international landscape.

There has been a renewed focus on the occupied territories Bill over recent weeks and I welcomed the opportunity to brief the Select Committee on Foreign Affairs on the Government’s approach on Tuesday. As I have stated, the advisory opinion delivered by the International Court of Justice, ICJ, has changed the legal context for the Bill. The Deputy ignored this in her contribution. What has not changed is the EU’s exclusive competence in the field of trade for all its member states, including Ireland. It is against this background that the Taoiseach asked the Attorney General to provide updated advice in relation to this Bill. In light of the new context provided by the advisory opinion, the Government has decided to progress the Bill and to prepare amendments. As I set out to the committee on Tuesday, the amendments required are not merely technical in nature. The Government’s analysis is that substantive amendment will be required to most, if not all, of the Bill’s provisions to try to bring it into line with EU law and our Constitution, while prohibiting imports from the occupied territories. This has been acknowledged by the sponsors of the Bill.

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