Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
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119. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the steps that have been taken to publicise the advice his Department published in June 2014 advising Irish citizens, and businesses, regarding involvement in financial and economic activities in Israeli settlements; and if representations been made to the private sector to ensure the advice is being made known. [10693/15]

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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On 3 July 2014, my Department published advice to Irish citizens and business on financial and economic activities in Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. Advice along these lines has also been issued by many of our EU partners. The advice is intended to provide advice to the general public, investors and companies on the potential legal, reputational and economic risks arising from conducting economic activity in the settlements which are illegal under international law.

The publication of this advice was marked by the issuance of a press release described the advice as ‘a further step in making clear our opposition to the illegal Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory’.

The advice is available on the website of my Department as well as via the website of our Embassy in Tel Aviv and Representative Office in Ramallah. Our travel advice on Israel and the Occupied Territories references and links to the advice in question.

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has referenced the advice issued by my Department in a recent report (A/HRC/28/43).

I should also mention that my Department has committed to develop a National Plan on Business and Human Rights, which will assist companies in advancing the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs). As this process goes forward, it will take account of the advice issued on business activity in the Occupied Palestinian Territory last year.

The UNGPs were adopted by the UN Human Rights Council in 2011 and as a member of the Council, Ireland along with all members of the EU, is committed to supporting the UNGPs on Business and Human Rights.

The National Plan will be designed to help Government departments, State agencies, Irish companies, Multinational Enterprises (MNEs) operating in Ireland and Irish enterprises operating abroad adhere to and promote the UNGPs. The Human Rights Unit of my Department is leading the development of the plan. A wide consultation process is being undertaken. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade NGO Forum on Human Rights which took place on 7 November 2014 provided the opportunity for NGOs, trade unions, academics and business to exchange views on the plan and possible actions. My Department has received 25 submissions in relation to the proposed national plan and is keen to encourage engagement with this process.