Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 6 April 2016
610. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his proposals to ban trade with Israeli settlements on the internationally recognised territory of Palestine and to raise this issue at European Union level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5730/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere is no proposal at present, at either Irish or EU level, to ban trade with Israeli settlements. The European Union, however, has a general approach of differentiating the EU’s relationship with Israel from the relationship with the settlements, in line with the conclusions of the Council in December 2012. Ireland has been a strong and consistent advocate of this position.
The European Union has taken a number of steps to differentiate between its treatment of imports from Israel and the importation of goods coming from illegal Israeli settlements. Settlement goods are not entitled to the lower tariffs that are the norm in the EU, and meat from settlements may not be certified by Israeli veterinary authorities. EU research funding may not be spent in settlements. Most recently, the European Commission published guidelines clarifying that goods from Israeli settlements may not be misleadingly labelled as being produce of Israel. Ireland has supported all of these measures.
There is no prospect at present of obtaining agreement at EU level on a ban on the import of goods from the settlements.
