Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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205. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the actions that have been taken at European Union level on the imposition of sanctions on imported goods from the Israeli settlements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35017/14]

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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In recent years Ireland has worked within the EU to focus attention on the expansion of Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory as a negative and damaging factor, and a significant driver of the continuing conflict. The EU has stated clearly that settlements are illegal under international law and a barrier to peace. Since settlements are not in Israel, goods from settlements are not covered by the trade provisions of the EU-Israel Association Agreement. Goods from settlements do not enjoy the lower tariffs applying to goods from Israel and many other countries. The European Commission has taken administrative measures to help identify goods from settlements. Work has also been ongoing on EU-wide guidelines for the labelling of goods from settlements, so that they cannot be misrepresented to consumers as coming from Israel. Such misrepresentation is already contrary to EU law, but the guidelines would help clarify the position for importers and retailers. Work on the guidelines was set aside during the recent period of direct negotiations between the Israelis and Palestinians, but should now be brought to a conclusion.