Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats)
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380. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if the EU has provided research funding to companies conducting business in illegal Israeli settlements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45156/20]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The EU’s Research and Innovation programme, Horizon 2020, includes several implementation mechanisms which prevent EU funds being used for activities that could be contrary to international or EU law.

Article 19 of the Horizon 2020 Framework Regulation provides that all research and innovation activities carried out under Horizon 2020 must comply with ethical principles and relevant national, Union and international law, including the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU and the European Convention on Human Rights and its Supplementary Protocols.

EU guidelines exclude funding to Israeli entities established in territories occupied by Israel since June 1967 and the funding of Israeli entities of activities in occupied Palestinian territory. Horizon 2020 projects are closely monitored by the European Commission services.

Ireland and the EU have consistently and strongly opposed settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory, and will continue to do so. Such settlements are illegal under international law and actively undermine the viability of a negotiated two-State solution in line with the internationally agreed parameters.