Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 October 2012
130. Deputy Paschal Donohoe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on whether the EU Council of Foreign Ministers should adopt an EU wide policy preventing Israeli settlement products being sold in the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44337/12]
View answer131. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will end trade with illegal Israeli settlements; and also highlight ongoing human rights abuses in Palestinian territories (details supplied). [44345/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 130 and 131 together.
I have answered many questions on the issue of settlement products and the situation has not changed. Notwithstanding the EU’s view on the illegality of Israel’s settlement activity in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, there is, in my view, no prospect of securing agreement on the banning of products produced in the settlements. I am aware that Deputies have received many representations on this issue, and as stated in reply to an earlier Question, I intend to write to all Deputies very shortly setting out in more detail the position in relation to settlement products.
