Human Rights

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 March 2022

Tuesday, 1 March 2022

Questions (129)

Patrick Costello

Question:

129. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the details of the progress made to date with regard to the decision of the IDA to appoint a business development consultant in Israel; if his Department has monitored the IDA's implementation of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights as well as the human rights due diligence guidance published by the Minister for Foreign Affairs; if his attention has been drawn to the recent Amnesty report that concludes that Israeli officials have committed the crime of apartheid against the Palestinian people; if there have been discussions with Israeli officials concerning the appointment of a business development consultant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10931/22]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment

The IDA issued a request for tender for a part-time Israel based Business Development Consultant in April 2021. The process was concluded in January 2022 when the Business Development Consultant was appointed. This person will represent IDA to support its efforts to win new investment. 

The newly appointed 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 will not target any Israeli company included on the database of enterprises involved in certain activities relating to settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, as published by the UN in February 2020.

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 remains committed to a two-State solution which protects the future of both the Palestinian and Israeli peoples.

Ireland consistently raises human rights issues in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory at the highest international levels. In particular, Ireland has been proactive in consistently highlighting these issues, including demolitions and settlement expansion, at the UN Security Council during our current term.

Amnesty International is a respected NGO, and I value the role it and other civil society organisations play. I note the publication of the detailed and comprehensive report issued by Amnesty International on 1 February, and I understand the Minister for Foreign Affairs has asked his officials to review the report in detail.

As an Agency of my Department, the IDA are expected to act in line with Government policy and the Agency has given assurances that this is the case.  The issue of the Israel based Business Development Consultant is included as a standing item at governance meetings with the Agency.