Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
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440. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the action he considers the EU should take against Israel in view of its continuation of settlement activities despite repeated calls by the EU to end its settlement policy, which clearly contradicts international law. [48885/14]

Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
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441. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the exclusion of goods produced in Israeli settlements from the EU in view of Israel's continuation of settlement activities despite repeated calls from the EU to end its settlement policy, which clearly contradicts international law. [48886/14]

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 440 and 441 together.

I have consistently highlighted the Government’s concern at the continued expansion of Israeli settlements, which are actively undermining the prospects for a comprehensive peace agreement to end the conflict. I have publicly condemned recent Israeli government announcements of further settlement expansion, and called for these decisions to be reversed.

Ireland has consistently pressed the European Union to focus on settlements as a key element to be addressed if a Middle East peace agreement is to be achieved, and argued for stronger action on the issue. This could include both more emphatic public and diplomatic messaging, and action on specific aspects of the settlement programme, such as land seizures, evictions and demolitions of Palestinian facilities.

Settlement products are one such aspect, although their importance should not be overestimated. Most settlements are dormitory communities which produce little or nothing for export, and a complete ban on settlement goods would not significantly affect the overall project.

The EU has already taken a number of actions. Most importantly, settlement goods attract a higher import duty than goods from Israel, Palestine or many other places. EU research grants may not be spent in settlements. The EU does not accept Israeli veterinary certification of meat from settlements. Many EU members, including Ireland, advise their citizens against investing or buying property in settlements. The EU has been examining the question of labelling of settlement products, and I have pressed for that to be moved forward.

Ireland has stated that we would support the full exclusion of settlement products from the EU. However, successive Ministers have also made it very clear that there is no possibility at present of securing general support in the EU for such a ban.

Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
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442. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on whether it would be a positive step for Palestine to become a party to the Rome Statute and accept the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court in order that persons responsible for activity contrary to international law in the occupied Palestinian territories may be brought to justice. [48887/14]

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Following the admission of Palestine to sit in the UN General Assembly as an Observer State, Palestine is now eligible to become a party to the Rome Statute. Ireland is, of course, a very strong supporter of the International Criminal Court and has always supported and encouraged universal adherence to the Rome Statute. The main consideration for any state in acceding to the Statute should be a willingness to subject its own actions to the jurisdiction of the ICC. I know that many states, including many who voted in favour of granting Palestine observer state status at the General Assembly, have expressed concern that any decision to accede to the Rome Statute simply in order to open another front in an already complex and deadlocked conflict with Israel may be counterproductive. The Palestinian leadership are aware of these concerns.