Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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146. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will impress on the European Commission the importance of the immediate suspension of diamond exports from Israel and Zimbabwe until such time as those responsible for the killing of over 160 civilians in Gaza and seven civilians in Harare are brought to justice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39381/18]

Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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147. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will call on the jewellery industry here to reject diamonds from Israel and Zimbabwe and the use of the bogus system of warranties promoted by an organisation (details supplied) which claims diamonds that are Kimberly process certified are conflict free in view of the fact they fund violence by government forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39382/18]

Ciarán Cannon (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 146 and 147 together.

Illegal trading in minerals and other natural resources has fuelled conflict for years in certain countries in Africa.

Support for the implementation of the EU Regulation on importers of tin, tantalum and tungsten, their ores, and gold originating from conflict-affected and high-risk areas is identified as a specific action in Ireland’s National Plan on Business and Human Rights, which was launched in November 2017.

Ireland has also strongly supported efforts in the EU and the OECD to promote the accountability, transparency and effective management of natural resources. In particular, Ireland supports the previously mentioned EU regulation on conflict minerals. This area is led on by the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation in coordination with the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources.

The suggestion of sanctions on Israel has been made many times by the Deputy and others, and discussed here in the House. Restrictions on trade would have to be imposed at EU or UN level. The Government does not support the imposition of sanctions on Israel, and such a proposal would have no possibility of reaching agreement at EU level. I have no proposals for a different approach in relation to diamonds.

Similar to Israel, restrictions on trade with Zimbabwe would have to be imposed at EU or UN level. Notwithstanding the violence that took place there on 1 August 2018, in which civilians died in clashes between protestors and the military, there is no proposal to restrict trade with Zimbabwe. Ireland supported the EU statement issued following the election, condemning the violence, and welcoming President Mnangawa’s announcement of a commission of inquiry into those events.

Openness and transparency, and a commitment to justice and equality, are essential to building trust within any divided community. My Department continues to monitor developments closely through the Embassy in Pretoria, who visit and engage regularly with officials in Zimbabwe, and through our engagement with the EU.