Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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18. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on his efforts to secure an interim agreement approaching the level of comprehensive trade agreement between the European Union and Palestine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10974/24]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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During a Foreign Affairs Council in January 2023, the EU made a commitment to set up annual high-level dialogue between the EU and the Palestinian Authority. This announcement followed a lunchtime exchange with the Palestinian Prime Minister, Mohammad Shtayyeh, and Palestinian Foreign Minister, Dr Riad Malki.

The overriding goal of such a dialogue would be to deepen bilateral relations between the EU and the Palestinian Authority, which are guided by a number of frameworks, including the EU-Palestine Action Plan under the European Neighborhood Policy. The dialogue would provide a high-level forum for political exchange and will also lend greater visibility to the role of the EU as the lead development and humanitarian partner, working to improve the lives of all Palestinians and promoting shared human values.

Ireland wishes to see the launch of negotiations on a full Association Agreement between the EU and the Palestinians, which would formally be concluded upon Palestinian statehood. However, our over arching priority in the immediate term is to advocate for a more robust EU position on an immediate humanitarian ceasefire and for a massive and sustained increase in humanitarian aid and full, safe and unhindered humanitarian access to Gaza, as well as a support for a comprehensive political track towards Palestinian statehood.

Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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19. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade further to Parliamentary Question No. 28 of 25 January 2024, if his Department has advised against or expressed reservations in relation to the granting of dual use export licence in relation to exports to Israel in the period 2020 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10975/24]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment is the National Competent Authority with responsibility for exports of dual-use goods, and administers these controls in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2021/821 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 May 2021 setting up a Union regime for the control of exports, brokering, technical assistance, transit and transfer of dual-use items.

The Department of Foreign Affairs does not advise the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment with regards to the licence application outcome. However, the Department of Foreign Affairs reviews all dual-use export license applications received from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment , against the eight assessment criteria set out in Council Common Position 2008/944/CFSP – criteria two of which is “Respect for human rights in the country of final destination as well as respect by that country of international humanitarian law”.

Accordingly, the Department of Foreign Affairs raises relevant human rights considerations and any other reservations in respect of all export license applications received from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, including those concerning dual-use exports to Israel. This process is applicable and inclusive of the time period cited in the PQ: "the period 2020 to date".