Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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30. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will request the banning of trade from the EU with Israel in view of ongoing breaches of the Geneva Convention in the form of settlements which are illegal under international law. [8758/17]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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Directly following on from Deputy Paul Murphy's question, I do not believe we can be seen as a strong voice when these settlement expansions are happening on an ongoing basis. I listened to the Minister's earlier answers on the same issue in which he said he does not want to make a symbolic gesture or take one measure or another. We are in effect taking no measures to stop what is clearly an illegal and unjust act. Where is our voice? We could have a voice if we made a strong stand and said we will not trade with Israel, which is what I am asking the Minister to consider with this question. However, the wider question is what we can do. If we are not going to take any options that are set out, how can the Minister say we have a strong voice when the illegal settlement patterns continue - accelerate, in fact? This has happened for decades and nothing seems to be stopping it. How can it be stopped if the Minister does not take the kinds of actions I have asked for in our question?

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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The suggestion by the Deputy of trade sanctions against Israel is raised from time to time in this House. However, it is very clear that such a proposal would have no chance whatever of gaining any support, still less agreement, at EU level. Successive Ministers have stated this and, as Deputy Eamon Ryan will be well aware, this remains the case.

There are many countries around the world with which Ireland and our EU partners have serious human rights concerns. Trade with a country does not imply approval or support of its policies. Trade is not a reward for good behaviour; it is how our own people make their living and is crucial also to many ordinary people in the countries in question.

Our strong views and consistent opposition to the settlement project have been a key focus of my engagement on this conflict at the Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels.

I have pressed for a clear distinction in the European Union's relations with Israel and in the matter of relations between the European Union and the settlements. As has now been endorsed by UN Security Council Resolution 2334, the European Union has already taken various actions in this regard on which I have reported to the House and we will continue to consider what more can be done.

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The Minister says we are interested and are trying to get support at EU level, that he will only do something if he gets that support and we cannot consider options unless we can be sure they will get over the line but he needs to answer my original question. Would he agree that all those measures are failing given what we have seen recently with the expansion of settlements and the expulsion of Palestinian people? Nothing is working to undo the fundamental injustice and the consequences across the region are huge. Rather than stabilising or improving, the position is getting worse. The consequences are even more serious with the possibility of an American Embassy opening in Jerusalem. At what point and in what way does he think we can change this development, which has severe consequences for the Palestinians and wider consequences, if we do not recognise that what is being attempted is not working and something more is needed? What is the Minister's plan to break that pattern?

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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There are several issues on which we can continue to engage but working with our partners in the EU is the most direct and important way to exercise real and lasting influence. The EU has taken several actions to differentiate clearly between Israel and the illegal Israeli settlements. I point to a ban on EU research funding going to settlements, to not accepting Israeli certification for meat from settlements, to advising against investing in settlements and to requiring accurate labelling of settlement goods. Moreover, other actions continue to be considered on an ongoing basis. We are also considering what steps to take about demolition of EU-funded structures in the West Bank. In many of these areas, Ireland continues to argue for an even stronger response. Our partners do not always all agree, as is the case in all negotiations. We also support local Israeli and Palestinian non-government organisations, NGOs, which seek to advance human rights, justice and stability on the ground in very challenging circumstances.

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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One further measure that has been promoted is a ban not on all goods from Israel but on those coming directly from the settlements. In his talks with the French Foreign Minister yesterday and with his German colleagues later today, did and will the Minister ask for a ban on specific products coming from the settlement territories in Israel? Has he made any progress on that and what does he think the chances are of such a selective, targeted ban on trade being agreed by our EU colleagues?

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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I have to be frank and say no, I do not envisage a situation in the near future where the EU will introduce the type of ban the Deputy speaks about. It is not possible to reach agreement on that. There are other areas upon which we can reach agreement with particular reference to the settlements. We will continue to engage at EU and international conference level, and I refer to the Paris initiative, as well as in our relations with the United States and other actors.