Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 4 October 2018
13. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will call on the EU to seek the suspension of Israel from the Kimberley process and introduce a ban on Israeli diamond exports in view of the fact that diamonds generate $1 billion annually for the Israeli military; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40272/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland has strongly supported efforts in the EU and the OECD to promote the accountability, transparency and effective management of natural resources. In particular, Ireland supports the EU regulation on conflict minerals. The Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation leads on this area in coordination with the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources.
The Kimberley Process is an intergovernmental process, supported by the United Nations, to control the entry of diamonds to the world market, and prevent the exploitation of diamonds by rebels and warlords in diamond producing countries. Once diamonds have entered the market in an approved way, there is no reason to treat them differently from any other product.
This is not a general mechanism for policing human rights issues in every country through which those diamonds subsequently pass.
The suggestion of sanctions on Israel has been made many times by the Deputy and others, and discussed here in the House. Restrictions on trade would have to be imposed at EU or UN level. The Government does not support the imposition of sanctions on Israel, and such a proposal would have no possibility of reaching agreement at EU level.
I have no proposals for a different approach in relation to diamonds.
