Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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50. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the specific actions that have been taken by the Government regarding the advancement of illegal Israeli settlements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13275/18]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The construction and expansion of illegal Israeli settlements in Palestinian territory has been a central focus of Ireland’s approach to the Middle East conflict for some years. The settlement project is contrary to international law, gravely threatens the prospects for a peace agreement, and inherently involves continuing and cumulative injustices and provocations to Palestinians. I have stressed the issue of settlements in EU discussions on the issue, in my direct meetings with the parties themselves, and in my engagement with the US administration on the peace proposals which they are formulating.

The essential principle followed by the EU for some years has been to clearly distinguish between its relations with Israel and Israeli settlements on Palestinian territory. This principle was subsequently enunciated in Security Council Resolution 2334 in December 2016.Actions taken relating to settlements have included:

- The exclusion of settlement goods from the lower tariffs applied to goods from Israel (and other trading partners)

- The rule that EU research grants may not be spent in institutions located in Israeli settlements

- EU guidelines on accurate labelling of goods from settlements

- Advice to citizens on the risks of doing business or investing in settlements

- EU refusal to accept Israeli veterinary certification for meat products from settlements

- The decision of the Foreign Affairs Council that all future agreements with Israel must clearly state that they apply only to Israel itself

Ireland continues to advocate for strong measures against settlements, although there are differing views on this at EU level. Measures that have been suggested include the exclusion of settlement goods altogether from the EU market, but it is clear that there would be no agreement on this for the moment. This is not the same as a trade ban on Israel itself, which the Government does not support.