Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 22 March 2023
149. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will provide an update on the status of the Control of Economic Activity (Occupied Territories) Bill 2018 in light of the Israeli government recently authorising nine illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank; his plans to progress this Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14277/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Occupied Territories Bill would not be compatible with EU law, and would not be implementable. This is the clear legal advice on this matter. The Government will therefore not be taking it forward.
We have, however, supported legal avenues to differentiate between settlements and Israel, for example by joining a case before the European Courts in 2019 on labelling of certain goods produced in settlements.
Ireland has consistently and strongly opposed illegal settlements, and this Government will continue to do so.
