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Foreign Direct Investment

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 27 May 2021

Thursday, 27 May 2021

Questions (97)

Mairéad Farrell

Question:

97. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if the request for tender for the consultancy has been issued with regard to the decision by the IDA to appoint a business development consultant in Israel; if the IDA implements an ongoing process of human rights due diligence as outlined in the guidance for businesses enterprises recently published by the Minister for Foreign Affairs with regard to the decision by the IDA to appoint a business development consultant in Israel; if companies being targeted with potential for investing in Ireland will be analysed using the tools provided in this guidance in particular in the area of human rights; his views on whether the IDA has a duty to ensure that possible business partners being sourced are not in violation of international law on human rights or have connections or partnerships with third-party entities that are or maybe in any way in violation of international law or benefiting from resources in illegally occupied territories by means of extraction, processing, commercialisation, distribution and or investment to carry out their activities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28967/21]

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Written answers

IDA Ireland issued a request for tender for a part-time Israel based Business Development Consultant on 26 April 2021. This person will represent IDA to support its efforts to win new investment. IDA Ireland regularly engages business development consultants, and this is a model used across many geographies.

The Business Development Consultant will be expected to identify Israeli-headquartered target companies with potential for investing in Ireland, engage with senior decision-makers in these companies and present Ireland’s value proposition as an investment location. I am advised that IDA Ireland has not yet awarded the Tender for a Part-time Consultant in Israel.

IDA Ireland has advised my Department that it will be guided by all aspects of the recently published Guidance for Business Enterprises by the Minister for Foreign Affairs when appointing a business development consultant in any territory.

Ireland’s position on the illegality of Israeli settlements in occupied Palestinian territory informs our engagement with the State of Israel across a range of bilateral issues, including trade, and will continue to do so.

Ireland consistently raises human rights issues in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory at the highest international levels, including most recently at the 46th session of the UN Human Rights Council.

Ireland remains steadfast in its support for a comprehensive two state solution which protects the future of both the Palestinian and Israeli peoples.

As an Agency of my Department, I expect IDA Ireland to act in line with Government policy and the Agency has assured me that this is the case. IDA Ireland respects obligations under Irish and International law.

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