Tommy Broughan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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609. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans for Ireland to formally recognise the state of Palestine; the reasons this has not been done to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5729/16]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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The Government works consistently to achieve a sovereign Palestinian state, not just in theory but in fact, and all of our actions on the Israeli/Palestinian issue are directed to that end. It is central to our objective of a two state solution that will ensure the security and prosperity of both peoples.

I continue to consider carefully whether the recognition by Ireland now of a state of Palestine, prior to its real achievement on the ground, could be a helpful step towards that goal.

The motions passed in the Seanad on 22 October 2015 and the Dáil on 10 December 2015 are very important factors in that consideration. Other factors are the symbolic importance of such a declaration for the Palestinian people, its likely impact on the prospects for advancing the peace process, and its effect on Ireland’s ability to exercise influence on developments. Ultimately, this is a matter for assessment and decision by the Government.

I have made clear that I will recommend early recognition by Ireland if I conclude that it would be helpful.

Tommy Broughan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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610. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his proposals to ban trade with Israeli settlements on the internationally recognised territory of Palestine and to raise this issue at European Union level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5730/16]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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There is no proposal at present, at either Irish or EU level, to ban trade with Israeli settlements. The European Union, however, has a general approach of differentiating the EU’s relationship with Israel from the relationship with the settlements, in line with the conclusions of the Council in December 2012. Ireland has been a strong and consistent advocate of this position.

The European Union has taken a number of steps to differentiate between its treatment of imports from Israel and the importation of goods coming from illegal Israeli settlements. Settlement goods are not entitled to the lower tariffs that are the norm in the EU, and meat from settlements may not be certified by Israeli veterinary authorities. EU research funding may not be spent in settlements. Most recently, the European Commission published guidelines clarifying that goods from Israeli settlements may not be misleadingly labelled as being produce of Israel. Ireland has supported all of these measures.

There is no prospect at present of obtaining agreement at EU level on a ban on the import of goods from the settlements.