Tommy Broughan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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355. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he believes Israeli settlement building is a breach of Article 49 of the Geneva convention (details supplied); the way he will fulfil Irish obligations as a signatory of the Geneva conventions to address breaches of the convention; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8011/16]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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Ireland and our EU partners have consistently made clear that the Israeli settlement project in the occupied Palestinian territory is illegal under the Geneva conventions. In line with our obligations under the Conventions, Ireland does not recognise or accept the right of Israel to settle its own people in Palestinian territory, nor do we support settlements or their expansion. On the contrary, Ireland has been a leading voice internationally and in particular in the EU in opposing settlements and urging stronger international actions on this critical issue. Ireland has been a principal advocate for a number of specific EU actions on settlements in recent years, which have been discussed here in the House. We will continue to do so.

Tommy Broughan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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356. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if, following the meeting of European leaders on 11 April 2016, he will discuss the escalation of demolitions by Israeli authorities of Palestinian homes and humanitarian aid in the West Bank; if he will provide a summary of this meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8012/16]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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Ireland has consistently highlighted and opposed, at EU level and elsewhere, the Israeli policies of land seizures, demolition of homes, eviction of families and destruction of humanitarian assistance in the West Bank. These policies are unjust, contrary to international law, deeply provocative, and destructive of the prospects for a peace agreement. Ireland, as well as the EU, the United States and others, have noted that these policies are fundamentally incompatible with a genuine commitment to seeking peace and an end to the conflict, and raise serious questions about the intentions of the Israeli Government. An official level Working Group in Brussels on 11 April heard assessments of these issues on the ground, in the context of both direct dialogue with Israel on these issues and internal EU consideration of our own response. Discussion on both of these aspects continues.