Written answers

Tuesday, 20 April 2010

Department of Foreign Affairs

International Agreements

9:00 pm

Photo of Chris AndrewsChris Andrews (Dublin South East, Fianna Fail)
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Question 614: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on banning the importation of goods originating from settlements in the West Bank that are illegal under international law; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14995/10]

Photo of Micheál MartinMicheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Goods produced in settlements in the West Bank are not per se illegal, but they are not entitled to benefit from the EU's preferential tariff rates. This principle has been recently confirmed in an important European Court ruling in the Brita case.

The total exclusion of goods originating in settlements, without also affecting general West Bank produce, would involve significant legal and practical complexities. This is an area of EU competence, and I do not consider that there is any realistic prospect of obtaining agreement to such a proposal at EU level.

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