Written answers

Wednesday, 18 November 2009

Department of Foreign Affairs

International Agreements

9:00 pm

Photo of Eamon GilmoreEamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Question 65: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on whether the EU's Euro-Mediterranean agreement with Israel should be suspended in view of the Goldstone report; if he will communicate this view to the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41911/09]

Photo of Micheál MartinMicheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I refer the Deputy to my reply to Written Question 311 on 10 November 2009, which was as follows:

"The Government does not consider that trade or other embargoes on Israel would contribute to the search for peace in the Middle East. I have also made clear that there would be no prospect of reaching consensus at EU level in favour of such a policy.

In these circumstances, to link this issue with the discussion of the Goldstone Report would serve to make more difficult a clear and constructive discussion on the Report and the important issues it addresses.

The Government have however made clear, in debates both at the Human Rights Council in Geneva and the United Nations General Assembly in New York, our support for the Goldstone report as a serious investigation which needs to be considered carefully and acted upon. Ireland was one of five EU Member States which voted in favour of the Resolution on the Report at the General Assembly last week. I have made clear my view that there must be accountability for actions taken."

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