Written answers

Tuesday, 29 July 2025

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Legislative Measures

Photo of Brian BrennanBrian Brennan (Wicklow-Wexford, Fine Gael)
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37. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade for an update on the Government's position on the Occupied Palestinian Territory (Prohibition of Importation of Goods) Bill 2025. [40715/25]

Photo of Ruth CoppingerRuth Coppinger (Dublin West, Solidarity)
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63. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to provide an update on the progress of legislation to ban trade with the occupied territories; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41833/25]

Photo of Simon HarrisSimon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 37 and 63 together.

On 24 June, the Government approved the General Scheme of the Israeli Settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (Prohibition of Importation of Goods) Bill 2025. The scheme delivers on the commitment in the Programme for Government to progress legislation prohibiting the import of goods from settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory following the Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice of 19 July 2024.

The General Scheme has been referred to the Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade for Pre-Legislative Scrutiny, which is ongoing. The Committee has held a number of hearings and received inputs reflecting a range of views and perspectives. I look forward to considering the Committee's report on the matter in due course.

In parallel, Ireland continues to press for action at the EU level in light of the Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice. This was a key focus of our engagement with EU partners in advance of and at the June and July Foreign Affairs Council. I joined nine other EU Foreign Ministers in writing a letter to the High Representative calling for the EU to undertake a detailed review of its compliance with the Advisory Opinion of the ICJ and specific actions to conform with its findings. I have been calling for this work for some time, and will continue to press for action. It is essential that the EU abide by its commitments under international law.

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