Written answers
Thursday, 29 May 2025
Department of Finance
Trade Sanctions
Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Solidarity)
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66. To ask the Minister for Finance if, in light of the ongoing genocide carried out by Israel, he will impose financial sanctions on the state of Israel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27947/25]
Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Solidarity)
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71. To ask the Minister for Finance to provide details of the value of financial assets held in Ireland by Israeli state entities and by companies registered in Israel; his views on whether these assets should be frozen in light of the genocide being carried out by Israel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27950/25]
Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 66 and 71 together.
Restrictive measures, or sanctions as they are generally referred, are a tool of the EU's Common Foreign Policy. Ireland implements EU sanctions, and it also implements UN sanctions via EU sanctions.
EU sanctions have direct effect in all Member States of the EU, and they are legally binding on all natural and legal persons in Ireland. As such, a natural or legal person who contravenes a provision of an EU sanctions regulation would be guilty of an offence and liable to prosecution.
Ireland has strongly supported the sanctions adopted by the EU against both individuals and entities involved in settler violence, and we continue to call for the imposition of further EU sanctions. At the meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council on 20 May, Ireland called for the immediate adoption of further sanctions targeting violent settlers.
We are continuing to witness appalling scenes from Gaza. The renewed offensive in Gaza and plans to establish full control of the Strip are extremely alarming. We strongly urge Israeli authorities to exercise restraint. We need an urgent end to hostilities.
The immediate focus of the international community must be on efforts to ensure an immediate ceasefire, the release of all remaining hostages, and a surge in vital humanitarian aid into and throughout Gaza.
In regard to the Deputy's other query on value of Israeli assets in Ireland, the Central Bank has advised that it does not receive comprehensive data on the value of financial assets held in Ireland by Israeli state entities and by companies registered in Israel.
As there are no EU sanctions imposed on the State of Israel, the Central Bank does not hold any information on frozen assets in respect of Israel.
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