Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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37. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the details of his engagement in 2022 with his counterparts in the European Union with regard to the decision to reconvene the European Union-Israel Association Council; if he has called for the imposition of certain conditions, as outlined in a letter by a group of Irish civil society organisations (details supplied), before any reconvening can occur; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49069/22]

Pauline Tully (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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55. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the reason for the decision by European Union foreign ministers to renew the European Union-Israel Association Council; his views on this decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49084/22]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 37 and 55 together.

At the Foreign Affairs Council in July, EU Foreign Ministers discussed the resumption of Association Council meetings with Israel, which had not taken place since 2012. It was agreed that we should start work to determine the EU position for an Association Council meeting with Israel, and that a meeting would only go ahead once an EU position was finalised.

I welcome that the EU position, as agreed, enabled the EU to speak with one voice on issues of concern, notably with regard to human rights and international law. On this basis, the Association Council took place on 3 October. The EU reiterated its grave concern at the continued occupation of Palestinian territory and its strong opposition to Israel's settlement policies and increased evictions and demolitions. The Association Council also provided an opportunity to engage with Israel on the political situation in the wider Middle East region and to reaffirm the EU’s long-standing position on the Middle East Peace Process, its commitment to a two-State solution and the urgent need for a political horizon and a path towards relaunching a peace process.

Minister of State Thomas Byrne represented Ireland. He expressed our alarm at the deteriorating situation on the ground and stressed the urgent need for renewed political dialogue. Ireland called on Israel to comply with international law, halt settlement expansion, and ensure space for Palestinian society.