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Middle East

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 July 2020

Tuesday, 28 July 2020

Ceisteanna (55)

Bríd Smith

Ceist:

55. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will clarify his comments that Ireland could face fines from the EU in relation to banning goods from illegal settlements in Palestine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18467/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Ireland has a very clear position on Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian Territory and the Golan Heights. They are illegal under international law, notably being contrary to the Fourth Geneva Convention, and actively undermine the prospects for a two-state solution. Ireland has consistently and strongly opposed settlements, and this Government will continue to do so. 

As I have said many times, the regulation of international trade, including in relation to settlement goods, is a matter of exclusive EU competence. To introduce a ban on the importation of settlement goods would ask the Government to do something which is not legally in its power.

The European Commission confirmed to the Select Committee on Foreign Affairs, Trade and Defence in June of last year that "...the EU has exclusive competence on the common commercial policy, and that as a customs union, the EU applies common arrangements for imports of goods from third countries uniformly across the Union. In principle, only the EU can decide to prohibit the importation of goods and services and not the Member States individually."

Should Ireland move to introduce a ban on settlement goods, and be found to have breached EU law, as we would expect, the State would then be exposed to potential fines, as well as legal costs. There has been regular and ongoing engagement between my Department and the Office of the Attorney General in relation to the issue of banning settlement goods, including the matter of potential fines. It is self-evident that breaches of EU law can lead to infringement proceedings, which in turn can potentially result in fines being imposed by the EU Court of Justice.

Question No. 56 answered with Question No. 51.
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