Dáil debates

Wednesday, 19 February 2014

10:20 am

Photo of Maureen O'SullivanMaureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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7. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade in view of the fact that the EU Foreign Ministers in May 2012 strongly criticised the marked acceleration of settlement construction and called for full application of existing EU legislation regarding products from settlements, the action he is prepared to take on these issues. [8049/14]

Photo of Maureen O'SullivanMaureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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There is absolutely no doubt that the continued acceleration in settlement building is having a detrimental and negative effect on what is happening in the West Bank and is threatening all the talks about a two-state solution. It was criticised by the EU Foreign Ministers in May 2012 but it is still continuing. What are the direct negotiations or direct talks that are taking place with the Israeli authorities on the matter of the settlements and settlement goods?

Photo of Eamon GilmoreEamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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The Foreign Affairs Council conclusions of May 2012, to which Ireland strongly contributed, were an important statement of EU policy on the Middle East conflict. They identified a range of critical and negative Israeli policies which needed to be changed. Many of these centred around the continuing expansion of settlements, which I have consistently identified as a central issue in the conflict.

The Council’s call for full application of existing EU legislation relating to products from settlements related primarily to the non-eligibility of settlement products for the lower tariffs applicable to goods from Israel. I would have been happy to see a stronger wording on this issue, and have worked since then to increase EU pressure on the issue of settlements.

Further discussion has centred on the issue of labelling of settlement goods, to prevent them being misleadingly labelled as coming from Israel. In February 2013 the EU High Representative committed to prepare EU guidelines on labelling of settlement products, an initiative which I had encouraged and strongly supported.

These guidelines are in preparation, involving both the External Action Service and the European Commission, but there is a tacit acceptance by the Council that it would not be opportune to move to finalise them at this moment, when direct negotiations between the parties are under way in the region. The objective of the negotiations is of course a comprehensive agreement which would resolve the issue of settlements, and of settlement products, in a much more definitive and satisfactory way. The EU also adopted guidelines in June 2013 making clear the non-eligibility of entities in settlements to benefit from EU research funding.

In my view the EU needs to be stronger in following up on the issues identified in the May 2012 Council Conclusions.

Photo of Maureen O'SullivanMaureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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In the meantime the settlements continue to be built. Leaving the legal argument and the moral argument about settlements aside, there is also a massive environmental impact of all these settlements. It is only when one is there that one sees for oneself the extent of the land taken up and the open spaces that were left available, the massive pressure on water and the difficulties of Palestinian people moving from one area to another. There is also much disquiet and anger among ordinary Israeli people and Israeli NGOs about what is going on. They do want to see further settlement building. All the policy statements and all the calls are not having any effect. That is the whole crux of the matter. If it continues like this there will not be a state left for Palestine to be part of a two-state solution given the amount of encroachment.

Photo of Eamon GilmoreEamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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There is no doubt that the settlements should not be continuing. The Deputy is correct that if the settlements do continue they will make the development of the two-state solution physically impossible. They will effectively sever the northern-southern part of the West Bank. They are having a huge impact around Jerusalem and Israel should stop settlement expansion, particularly in the context of the talks that are now under way. It is welcome that discussions are under way. I compliment, in particular, Secretary of State, Mr. John Kerry, on the initiative he took in that regard. He discussed that issue with European Union Foreign Ministers and directly with me. We support the work that is being done on those talks. So far as the European Union position is concerned I am glad that in May 2012 a very strong position was adopted by the European Union, a stronger position than had been adopted previously. As the Deputy is aware it was very difficult to get agreement at European Union level on this issue. I would like to see it followed through more strongly and I am seeking to have that done at the European Union Foreign Affairs Council and we will continue to do that.

Photo of Maureen O'SullivanMaureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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I wish to make to make two further points. While the Minister mentioned Jerusalem, the other area that needs to be mentioned is the Jordan Valley and what is happening there with particular ethnic groups and the way in which they are being physically removed from their land. When one is there and sees the particular areas, it is clear that Palestinian people are trying to hold on to a tiny piece of land while all this encroachment is taking place. It is very visible in Hebron. The issues occurring there mean that Palestinian people are prevented from earning a living because of the letting situation and because of where the borders are situated. Unfortunately, the policies are not working and are not having any effect.

Photo of Eamon GilmoreEamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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This has been a long-standing issue. There has been a stand-off for a very long period. I am glad that discussions are under way and I want to see those succeed. I think the European Union has a role in supporting the talks. It has a role into the future in its relationship with Israel and with the Palestinian state. It needs to pursue more strongly the conclusions reached in May 2012. Reaching those conclusions in May 2012 was significant because for a long period there had been divided opinion and divided loyalties within and among European Union member states on the Israeli-Palestinian issue. Reaching an agreed position was significant but it needs to be followed through and the best way of doing that is in the context of the talks that are taking place.

Photo of Seán BarrettSeán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Members are indicating that they wish to ask supplementaries. The position is that a Deputy has 30 seconds to introduce the question and the Minister has two minutes to reply.

Then there is a minute each for two supplementary questions and the two ministerial replies. Six minutes is the maximum time allowed per question. The whole idea is that we try to get through the agenda so that the questions of people who are sitting in the Chamber waiting for a reply are reached.