Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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222. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position regarding the preparation of guidelines for the labelling of products from Israeli settlements, taking into account that the former Minister for Foreign Affairs in January 2014 stated that if progress was not made at European Union level in respect of the preparation of guidelines then the development of such guidelines would be pursued at national level; if urgent consideration will be given to this issue taking into account that settlement construction has advanced rapidly; his plans to introduce such guidelines on labelling at a national level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10999/15]

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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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. In my recent visit to the West Bank, I saw at first-hand the impact of settlements, including on the daily life of Palestinians. When I met with Foreign Minister Liberman, I raised the issue of settlements and the fact that their continued expansion is a threat to the viability of a two-State solution.

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. 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.

Ireland has consistently pressed the European Union to focus on settlements as a key element to be addressed. I will continue to highlight this issue in discussions with EU colleagues and others on the Middle East Peace Process. The EU has already decided that EU funding grants may not be spent in the settlements.

I expect the April Foreign Affairs Council to discuss the Middle East Peace Process, following the Israeli election on 17 March. I welcome High Representative Mogherini’s indications that she intends to enhance EU engagement in the Middle East Peace Process. I will actively be contributing to our discussions on role of the EU and I will work to ensure that the question of settlements is to the forefront of EU thinking on these issues. The question of whether it would be timely to resume work on EU guidelines for labelling of settlement products will be considered in that context. While we remain prepared to look at national guidelines, the impact would clearly be better if we were to act collectively at EU level.