Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)

It is clear the strength of opinion held across the House on the situation in Gaza and, indeed, in the West Bank and on the importance attached to this draft legislation. The programme for Government commitments to prohibiting the imports of goods from illegal settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory. The general scheme before the House delivers on this commitment. Trade and services are considerably more complex than is the case with goods. There remains considerable legal uncertainty as whether the inclusion of services is permissible under EU law. We also have to take account of practical issues with regard to implementation where services are to be included in the scope of this Bill. By their very nature, services are varied, intangible and do not lend themselves to ready identification in the same way that goods do.

The Government fully understands the depth of feeling on the subject of Palestine and is making every effort to contribute to work at EU and international levels to bring the current conflict to the end while continuing to work on a long-term solution.

The Government also understands the urge to do more, to force the dial and bring an end to the horrific suffering for Palestinians and Israelis alike. I wish to take the opportunity today to take stock of the contribution Ireland has made to date. The Government has not been a bystander in the face of tragic events. We have at all times sought to take action, both to address immediate needs and to make a longer-term contribution to peace and stability in the Middle East. Ireland's principal stance, backed up by concrete actions, has been widely acknowledging, including by partners in the region.

As Deputies will remember, Ireland recognised the State of Palestine long before the UN high-level conference on the two-state solution, which took place earlier this year. This was a step we took alongside Norway and Spain in May 2024. At the EU level, Ireland has been to the forefront in calling for appropriate European action in response to Israel's breaches of international law, often advocating for policies at an early stage that have later garnered widespread support. Ireland led the way on the proposal to review Israel's compliance to article 2 of the association agreement, first proposing this step alongside Spain in February 2024. The European External Action Service's subsequent review found that Israel is in breach of its human obligations. This is no surprise to anybody in this Chamber.

In September 2025, the European Commission announced a package of proposals in light of this review, including a proposal to suspend the core trade related provisions of the EU-Israel association agreement. Ireland has consistently called for the EU to take concrete action in response to egregious Israeli breaches of human rights and democratic principles. We have made clear our view that the EU must keep these proposals on the table regardless.

Ireland strongly supported successive rounds of EU sanctions against violent Israeli settlers under its global human rights sanctions agreement adopted in April and July 2024. We support further recent proposals from the European Commission to sanction extremist Israeli ministers and violent settlers as well as Hamas.

Ireland along with nine other EU member states also wrote to the High Representative and Vice President calling for the EU to undertake a detailed review of its compliance with the July 2024 advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice, ICJ. We are taking extensive actions at the international level in response to the situation in Gaza and the West Bank and in support of the people of Palestine. Through our work as a co-chair of a working group alongside Türkiye, we are one of a small number of EU member states that played a central role at the high-level UN conference on implementing the two-state solution held in New York last July. The outcome document of the conference - the New York declaration - was endorsed by 142 countries in a vote at the UN General Assembly. The Taoiseach attended a reconvened session of the conference during the UN high-level week in September where he called for a political path to end the cycle of violence.

We also welcomed that a number of states took steps towards the recognition of the State of Palestine in the lead up to and during the UN high-level week last September. The working connection with the UN high-level conference and its output is an expression of relationships that we have developed, including with partners in the region in relation to the shared goals in support of the two-state solution. Ireland has been an active participant in the seven meetings of the global alliance for the implementation of the two-state solution that have taken place since its establishment at UN high-level week last year. We will be hosting a meeting of the global alliance in Ireland in January 2026.

Ireland is also pursuing action through the international courts to address breaches of international law and international humanitarian law in Gaza and the West Bank. On 22 October 2025, the International Court of Justice delivered an advisory opinion on the obligations of Israel in relation to the United Nations and other international organisations as well as third states in the occupied Palestinian territory. We have welcomed the advisory opinion which authoritatively affirms Israel's obligation under international law in relation to the presence and activities of the UN, other international organisations and third states in and regarding the occupied Palestinian territory.

In January, Ireland filed a declaration of intervention at the International Court of Justice in South Africa's case against Israel under the Genocide Convention. In February, Ireland filed a detailed written submission with the ICJ on advisory proceedings concerning the obligations of Israel in relation to the United Nations and other international organisations as well as third states in the occupied Palestinian territory. On 19 July 2024, the ICJ delivered an advisory opinion on the legal consequences arising from the policies and practices of Israel in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem. Ireland filed a detailed written submission to the court and the Attorney General on behalf of the governments that participated in our hearings. Ireland subsequently cosponsored a resolution adopted by the UN General Assembly on 18 September 2024, which seeks to implement the court's advisory opinion.

On consular assistance, the Department of foreign affairs has supported approximately 300 people to leave Gaza and travel to Ireland. This includes Irish citizens and their immediate dependants, scholarship students and individuals of critical skills who have employment in Ireland. The Department has conducted eight complex evacuation operations from Gaza over the past six months after borders reopened in April. In 2024, the Government approved the evacuation of up to 30 sick children from Gaza to Ireland for treatment and care. A total of 21 patients have already been medically evacuated to Ireland, along with 52 accompanying family members. The Department of Health and the HSE continues to engage with the World Health Organization, WHO, and the EU to provide further missions.

Our financial and humanitarian response to the situation in Gaza has also been significant. Ireland has provided over €101 million in support to the people of Palestine since January 2023. More than €89 million has been provided since October 2023. This includes €20 million in core support to the UN Relief and Works Agency, UNRWA, this year which brings our support to €58 million since 2023. That additional €6 million brought Ireland's support to the people of Palestine to over €35 million this year. This €6 million will be allocated to Ireland's UN partners, including €2 million to UNICEF, €2 million to United Nations Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs, OCHA, €1 million to the World Food Programme and €1 million to WHO. Ireland has provided 177 tonnes of supplies, including tents, blankets, water, cans and other vital household items to Gaza under Ireland's rapid response initiative.

In September, Ireland joined the emergency coalition for the financial stability of the Palestinian Authority. The coalition was established in response to the urgent and unprecedented financial crisis confronting the Palestinian Authority. The officials in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in headquarters and throughout the mission network, particularly in the region, continue to work tirelessly to represent Ireland's strong position on the conflict based on the fundamental principles of international law. Ireland's position - the fundamental belief that all states must adhere to international law - has never faltered. What we can do and do can make a difference. Ireland's engagement on the issue has not waned and will not. We will continue our work to promote peace and a path towards a negotiated two-state solution with Israel and Palestine living side by side in real peace and security.

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