Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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97. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he plans to seek EU consensus to apply tough sanctions on the leadership of Hamas. [50950/23]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Ireland implements UN sanctions and EU sanctions adopted as part of the Common Foreign and Security Policy.

EU sanctions seek to bring about a change in the policy and/or behaviour of the target of the restrictive measures. They are used as part of an integrated and comprehensive approach to the pursuit of EU foreign policy objectives, along with political dialogue and other complementary efforts and instruments. EU sanctions are always targeted and comply with obligations under international law, including international human rights and international humanitarian law.

The EU Counter Terror regime targets persons and groups involved in terrorist acts, including through asset freezes and travel bans. Hamas as a group has been listed under this sanctions regime since 2003. The designations are reviewed at regular intervals and at least every six months.