Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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369. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade following a recent statement (details supplied) by the Office of the United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process the actions he will take at a national level to bring pressure on Israel to cease settlement building and land confiscation; the further actions he will pursue at European Union level to bring pressure on Israel to cease settlement building and land confiscation; and if he will now move to formally recognise the state of Palestine, given the existential threats that it faces. [8475/16]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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The statement under reference by the Office of the United Nations Special Coordinator Middle East Peace Process is in line with what Ireland has consistently been stressing for some time, in relation to the impact of Israeli settlement expansion, and the related land seizures, dispossession, destruction of homes and eviction of Palestinian families. We have highlighted these issues directly with Israel, and in discussions at EU and UN level, and called for stronger international action on settlements.

In recent years, Ireland and other EU partners have warned domestic investors against investing in settlements. The EU has prohibited the spending of any EU research grants in settlements, and issued guidelines on the correct labelling of goods from settlements. Ireland has supported and contributed to all of these actions. They have had a significant impact in Israel, but clearly not yet enough. I have stated that in my view the international community needs to do more.

Recognition of a state of Palestine is a separate matter. It is an important issue, and needs to be considered on its own merits and likely impact. It is not a reward or a punishment for one side or the other. As I have stated, this is a question I am keeping under review.