Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the steps he has agreed with his EU counterparts in ending illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank; if he will implement a boycott of goods from the illegal settlements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45091/12]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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The Government has consistently stated that Israeli settlements in the occupied territories are illegal under international law and are an obstacle to peace. The relentless construction of settlements in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, is undermining the viability of a future Palestinian state. This is unambiguous EU policy and a clear message that Ireland and our EU partners relay to the Israeli authorities in every meeting. The settlement project is incompatible with a comprehensive peace in the Middle East, and with the end of the occupation. Recognising that developments on the ground are threatening to make a two-state solution impossible, the Foreign Affairs Council in May adopted conclusions that restated, and in many respects advanced, EU positions on issues such as the Palestinian depopulation of Area C and evictions and demolitions in East Jerusalem. Many of these issues are part and parcel of the settlement project. The conclusions also set out the remedial action we wish to see, primarily from Israel. Clearly, the Council will have to continue to press on these issues and I stressed this point again at the Foreign Affairs Council earlier this week.

While I do not support a boycott of Israel or goods produced in Israel, I believe that the exclusion of goods produced by Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories would reflect the illegal status of such settlements under international law. I have not yet made any formal proposal at EU level because I do not believe there is at present any prospect of getting EU agreement for such a ban. However, I expressed the view that if there is no movement by Israel on the issues raised by the EU Council regarding to settlements, the Union should consider the exclusion of settlement products. As the Deputy will be aware, the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade has written to me on this issue and I will reply in greater detail shortly.

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Minister for his reply. As he correctly said, what has happened on the West Bank since 1967 is deplorable. My understanding is settlements have been promoted and expanded under every Israeli Government. Recently, I read that 200 settlements comprise 42% of the land on the West Bank and almost 500,000 Israeli settlers. The Minister referred to the EU resolution agreed last May at the Council of Ministers to recognise the urgency of the situation and to condemn developments which threaten to make a two-state solution impossible. Am I correct that this matter was discussed at the most recent Council meeting? In excess of €100 million in settlement products are imported by the EU annually, although the figures I have seen vary between €96 million and €160 million. I do not know the exact figure but it is sizeable even at the minimum value. Exports to the EU help to make those settlements economically viable and that is not acceptable. If there is not progress and stronger action by the EU, will the Minister ensure this matter will be high on his priority list when he chairs the Foreign Affairs Council in the coming six months?

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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I can confirm that the Council, which met in Luxembourg on Monday last, discussed the situation in the Middle East and the fact that no progress has been made in talks about a settlement. The Council adopted a strong statement on the Middle East and Palestine at the May meeting and focused particularly on the settlement activity, which is continuing and which is making a two-state solution increasingly unviable. I expressed in strong terms the Government's position on that.

With regard to the question of a ban on settlement products, it is difficult to put a figure on it because the goods exported mainly comprise fruit and vegetables.

The settlements are mainly dormitory settlements for the rest of Israel. It is not so much an economic producing area in its own right and it represents a very small proportion of Israeli exports. If blocked, the goods go back to the domestic market. I have asked colleagues in the European Union Foreign Affairs Council to return to this issue, consider the decisions taken in May, see what progress, or lack of progress, has been made and examine what further action the European Union can take to enforce the decisions made in May. One possibility in that context is an EU ban on settlement products.

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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The EU has good reason to act because the existence of the settlements has repeatedly been deemed illegal by the United Nations and the International Court of Justice. I ask the Tánaiste to ensure the issue remains high on the agenda. Deputy Crowe and other committee members listened to the accounts given by Trócaire at a meeting of the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade. One comment was made by a farmer whose land had been confiscated from him on two occasions. He said it was not safe for them and that this was a huge humiliation and loss of dignity. The concerns of those people must be uppermost in the minds of people dealing with foreign affairs issues. A union the size of the EU must be proactive on this important issue.

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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This Government and its predecessor made the Middle East a priority in foreign policy. That will continue to be the case and that is why we pressed hard for a strong statement at the EU Foreign Affairs Council. That is why we took the position that there must be follow through. I have asked that, during our Presidency, we review what was decided in May. On a technical point, the Foreign Affairs Council is now chaired by the High Representative, following the Lisbon arrangements. I am working quite closely with High Representative Catherine Ashton, who has taken a strong personal interest and leadership role in the Middle East peace process.