Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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302. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the actions, above and beyond the public statement issued by his Department on 25 January 2017, he will take in response to Israel's approval of the construction of 566 new illegal settlement units in occupied east Jerusalem and its plan to build another 5,500 units throughout the occupied West Bank. [6895/17]

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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308. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his Department's position on the recent approval by the Israeli Government of the construction of over 500 settlement units in occupied east Jerusalem and 5,500 settlement units in the occupied West Bank; the steps he has taken both bilaterally and through the EU to assert Ireland's position on this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7231/17]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 302 and 308 together.

I issued a public statement on 25 January in response to the recent Israeli settlement announcements, which was as follows: “The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Charlie Flanagan TD, has condemned recent announcements by Israeli authorities of further settlement construction in the occupied Palestinian Territories.

Minister Flanagan said:

Ireland’s views on Israeli settlements couldn’t be clearer. Indeed, the views of the international community on settlements couldn’t be clearer – they are comprehensively set out in UN Security Council Resolution 2334 and in the declaration of the Paris Conference which I participated earlier this month. These settlements are illegal, they actively undermine the prospects for a sustainable negotiated two-state solution, and the relentless expansion of settlements inherently involves injustice and provocation for Palestinians.

These most recent announcements, proposing more than 3,000 units, are deeply disappointing. Such actions serve only to undermine Israel’s reputation and the credibility of its government’s declarations of support for a negotiated, peaceful solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

In particular, the intention to proceed with new settlements in East Jerusalem only serves to call further into question the commitment of the Israeli government to engage in meaningful negotiations aimed at achieving a two-State solution.

Ireland remains steadfast in its support for a comprehensive two state solution which protects the future of both the Palestinian and Israeli peoples.

I call for an end to all settlement construction, and the reversal of these announcements.”

Ireland also contributed to the drafting of a firm statement issued on behalf of the EU by High Representative Mogherini.

I have consistently argued, at EU and international level, that the international community needs to take stronger action in response to settlement activities. This has contributed to a number of EU actions in recent years, including excluding settlements from EU research funding, refusing to accept Israeli health certification for meat produced in settlements, and guidelines on labelling of products from settlements. I will continue to pursue this policy approach.