Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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32. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if she will report on Ireland's implementation of, and adherence to, the United Nations General Assembly resolution, which Ireland co-sponsored, arising from the ruling of the International Court of Justice in the case of the legal consequences arising from the policies and practices of Israel in the occupied Palestinian territory, including east Jerusalem. [66734/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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A key pillar of Ireland’s foreign policy is our strong commitment to international law and our promotion of respect for international law. This commitment has guided our approach to the current conflict.

The Government’s analysis that Israel’s occupation is unlawful was confirmed by the International Court of Justice in its Advisory Opinion on the Legal Consequences arising from the Policies and Practices of Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory of 19 July 2024.

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

The next steps in the process, including the timeline for the progress of the Bill, are being considered.

It remains the Government’s preference that collective action would be taken at EU level and we continue to pursue this.

In regard to the EU-Israel Association Agreement, which serves as the legal and institutional framework between the EU and Israel, the Government has always been of the view that the Agreement must be interpreted and applied in accordance with the obligations of the EU and its Member States under international law. These obligations have been clarified by the International Court of Justice in its Advisory Opinion of 19 July 2024.

The Tánaiste, in his capacity as then-Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, wrote to High Representative Kallas in advance of the June Foreign Affairs Council to ask how the Commission assesses the impact on the EU-Israel Association Agreement of the ICJ Advisory Opinion of July 2024.

The High Representative responded to this letter on 17 October, indicating the Commission’s view that the EU’s current approach is in line with the spirit and letter of the ICJ Advisory Opinion.

Ireland’s assessment is different. We are currently studying the detail of the response provided by the High Representative and considering next steps.

Ireland will continue to call for the EU to take concrete action in response to egregious Israeli breaches of human rights and democratic principles.