Written answers
Wednesday, 28 February 2024
Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment
Trade Relations
Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
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37. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he is aware that Ireland imported €5.08 billion of goods from Israel in 2022 and €2.15 billion worth in 2021 (details supplied), yet in 2020, imports were only €138 million, which was par for the course on previous years; what precipitated the jump in trade after 2020; and as a significant trading partner with Israel, what part is Ireland playing in terms of trade in the cessation of the horrific events in Palestine. [9486/24]
Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The Central Statistics Office (CSO) compiles statistical data on the value of Imports.
CSO data indicates that the value of good imported from Israel to Ireland in 2020-2023 was as follows:
| Imports | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| €121 mn | €2.4 bn | €4.8 bn | €3.6 bn |
The main category of imports from Israel is Electronic Integrated Circuits and this category accounted for the significant increase since 2020.
The Irish government was one of the first to call for a ceasefire and has increased its humanitarian support to the agencies working in the region. The Irish government has been engaged with like-minded EU Member States to find ways of seeking to influence the Israeli government to agree a lasting ceasefire.
The Taoiseach previously outlined to the Dáil, recent Irish government actions on the matter including:
- A joint letter was sent to the Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, from An Taoiseach and the Spanish Prime Minister, calling for a Commission-led review on whether Israel is complying with its obligations under the EU/Israel Association Agreement and identifying response measures for the Council to consider.
- Ireland discussing possible action at EU level with like-minded Member States to bring about a ceasefire, including exploratory assessment of articles within the EU-Israel Association Agreement that would suspend trade elements of the agreement.
- Ireland has called for EU sanctions against violent settlers in the West Bank.
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