Mairead Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
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106. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will confirm that no Irish companies are engaged in activities in Israel’s illegal settlements in Palestine or profiting from or contributing to systematic human rights violations against Palestinian communities; the tangible systems and procedures that are in place to end any involvement in illegal Israeli settlements of Irish companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25453/23]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Ireland’s position on Israeli settlement activity in the occupied Palestinian territory is crystal clear; settlements are a clear violation of international law and stand in the way of a just, lasting and comprehensive peace between Israelis and Palestinians.

In accordance with international law, Ireland distinguishes between the territory of the State of Israel and the territories occupied since 1967 and ensures that any bilateral agreements with Israel do not apply to the occupied territories. A whole of Government approach is applied to this policy of differentiation.

Furthermore, my Department supports other Government departments by providing guidance and clarification on the policy of differentiation. The Department of Foreign Affairs also ensures that there is information available for the public and companies regarding Ireland's policy on settlements via the Department's website.

In this regard, my Department’s guidance clearly sets out that financial transactions, investments, purchases, procurements as well as other economic activities (including in services like tourism) in Israeli settlements or benefiting Israeli settlements, entail legal and economic risks stemming from the fact that the Israeli settlements, according to international law, are built on occupied land and are not recognised as a legitimate part of Israel's territory. The Government expects any Irish company operating or investing abroad to have due regard to international law and the rights of the inhabitants of the territory.