Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
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1199. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the Israeli plans to expand settlement at Gush Etzion near Bethlehem in the occupied Palestinian territories; the steps he has taken, or will take to express the view of the Irish Government to the Israeli Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33993/14]

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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I expressed my views on this plan in a statement issued on 1 September, which was as follows:

I strongly condemn the appropriation yesterday by Israel of a large block of Palestinian land in the West Bank, which is expected to be used for the creation of a major new Israeli settlement in this highly sensitive area. Ireland has repeatedly made clear that settlements are illegal under international law and their presence and continued expansion in the occupied Palestinian territory is incompatible with the aspirations of Israelis and Palestinians for peace and the realisation of the two-state solution. This remains the only viable framework for the achievement of a sustainable, democratic and peaceful future for Israelis and Palestinians alike. I call upon the Israeli Government to reconsider this decision as a matter of urgency. This announcement represents a serious threat to the viability of the two-state solution to which Ireland is fully committed.