Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 December 2014
440. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the action he considers the EU should take against Israel in view of its continuation of settlement activities despite repeated calls by the EU to end its settlement policy, which clearly contradicts international law. [48885/14]
View answer441. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the exclusion of goods produced in Israeli settlements from the EU in view of Israel's continuation of settlement activities despite repeated calls from the EU to end its settlement policy, which clearly contradicts international law. [48886/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 440 and 441 together.
I have consistently highlighted the Government’s concern at the continued expansion of Israeli settlements, which are actively undermining the prospects for a comprehensive peace agreement to end the conflict. I have publicly condemned recent Israeli government announcements of further settlement expansion, and called for these decisions to be reversed.
Ireland has consistently pressed the European Union to focus on settlements as a key element to be addressed if a Middle East peace agreement is to be achieved, and argued for stronger action on the issue. This could include both more emphatic public and diplomatic messaging, and action on specific aspects of the settlement programme, such as land seizures, evictions and demolitions of Palestinian facilities.
Settlement products are one such aspect, although their importance should not be overestimated. Most settlements are dormitory communities which produce little or nothing for export, and a complete ban on settlement goods would not significantly affect the overall project.
The EU has already taken a number of actions. Most importantly, settlement goods attract a higher import duty than goods from Israel, Palestine or many other places. EU research grants may not be spent in settlements. The EU does not accept Israeli veterinary certification of meat from settlements. Many EU members, including Ireland, advise their citizens against investing or buying property in settlements. The EU has been examining the question of labelling of settlement products, and I have pressed for that to be moved forward.
Ireland has stated that we would support the full exclusion of settlement products from the EU. However, successive Ministers have also made it very clear that there is no possibility at present of securing general support in the EU for such a ban.
