Pauline Tully (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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19. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade for an update on the response from the European Commission to the joint request from Ireland and Spain for an ‘urgent review’ of the EU-Israel Association Agreement; if the EU-Israel Association Council has recently been convened or if there is a date for it to be convened to review Israel’s compliance with the measures in that agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27575/24]

Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent)
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30. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the progress Ireland has made in helping to ensure the suspension and review of the EU/Israel Association Agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27458/24]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 19 and 30 together.

In February 2024, the then Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Prime Minister Sanchez of Spain wrote to the President of the European Commission requesting an urgent review of whether Israel is complying with its human rights obligations under the EU-Israel Association Agreement. The issue was discussed at the Foreign Affairs Council (FAC) on 18 March and by the Taoiseach in a meeting with President von der Leyen on 11 April.

At the FAC on 27 May, I called for an urgent convening of an EU-Israel Association Council to review Israel’s compliance with measures of the agreement. This was agreed, and the EU's High Representative / Vice President (HRVP) Josep Borrell wrote to the Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz requesting his participation. The Israeli Ambassador to the EU subsequently responded to the request, noting that Israel would only participate on the basis of an agreed agenda that covered the full spectrum of the EU's relationship with Israel.

Ireland, along with many other Member States, has made clear that this is not acceptable; any discussion between the EU and Israel, whether in the format of the Association Council or in another format, can not be a 'business as usual' meeting. HRVP Borrell will now follow up with Israel on this basis. I have also emphasised in EU discussions that, if Israel continues to fail to comply with the Provisional Orders of the International Court of Justice, then the EU should consider all options to ensure the upholding of international law.

Ireland’s position on the EU-Israel Association Agreement is just one element our efforts to shape EU policy. The European Union can, and should, continue to do more to use the levers at its disposal to exert pressure on Israel. This will remain a priority for my continuing engagement at EU level.

Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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20. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade for an update on the latest engagements with the EU that his Department has been involved in regarding the Israeli onslaught in Gaza; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26976/24]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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39. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the initiatives within the European Union to achieve a ceasefire, humanitarian aid and a lasting settlement in the Israeli/Palestine conflict; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27586/24]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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52. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which he continues, unilaterally or through the aegis of the EU/UN, to influence the situation in the Middle East, with particular reference to the setting up of a permanent peace process to which Israeli and Palestinians can refer their grievances on a regular basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27528/24]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 20, 39 and 52 together.

Since the beginning of this crisis, I have been in regular contact with my counterparts in European Union Member States and the EU institutions, pressing the urgent need for an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, and full, safe and unhindered humanitarian access. Ireland has also consistently pushed for the EU position to evolve in line with developments on the ground, including by requesting a review of the EU-Israel Association Agreement and an urgent meeting of the EU-Israel Association Council to raise our concerns with Israel directly, as well as the introduction of sanctions against violent West Bank settlers. Additionally, along with other Member States, I have called on the EU to urgently release funding for the Palestinian Authority and for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA).

I share the assessment that the European Union can and should do much more to use the levers at its disposal to exert pressure on Israel. Full consideration must be given by the EU to all the options available. This remains a priority for our continuing engagement at EU level.

On Monday, 24 June, I attended the Foreign Affairs Council of the EU where I shared these perspectives with other EU Member States and the Commission. I welcome that there was political agreement at that meeting to introduce additional sanctions against violent West Bank settlers - both individuals and organisations.

At the May Foreign Affairs Council, Arab partners presented their ‘Vision for Peace’ proposal, which Ireland supports. I discussed the EU's active engagement with that proposal with the EUSR for the Middle East, Sven Koopmans, during the most recent FAC meeting in Luxembourg on Monday and underlined Ireland's view that we should fully support the principles underlying this plan. I also attended a meeting hosted by Norway and Saudi Arabia last month in Brussels to discuss ongoing international peace efforts and held constructive discussions with EU and regional partners.

I will continue my intensive engagement with EU partners to take concrete steps which demonstrate the Union’s commitment to the restoration of a political horizon in the region and realisation of the two-State solution.