Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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20. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will report on the planned establishment of an IDA office in Israel. [53173/21]

Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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IDA Ireland is not planning to establish an office in Israel.

The IDA issued a request for tender for a part-time Israel based Business Development Consultant in April 2021. I am advised that IDA Ireland has identified a person for this role and the appointment process is likely to be concluded by year end. This person will represent IDA to support its efforts to win new investment. IDA Ireland regularly engage Pathfinders/Consultants and this is a model used across many territories.

The Business Development Consultant will be expected to identify Israeli-headquartered target companies with potential for investing in Ireland, engage with senior decision-makers in these companies and present Ireland’s value proposition as an investment location. I am advised that IDA Ireland will not target any Israeli company included on the database of enterprises involved in certain activities relating to settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, as published by the UN in February 2020.

Ireland’s position on the illegality of Israeli settlements in occupied Palestinian territory informs our engagement with the State of Israel across a range of bilateral issues, including trade, and will continue to do so.

Ireland consistently raises human rights issues in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory at the highest international levels, including most recently at the 47th session of the UN Human Rights Council.

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

As an Agency of my Department, IDA Ireland are expected to act in line with Government policy and the Agency has given assurances that this is the case.