Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 27 November 2025
43. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position of the Government on the continuation, in its current format, of the EU-Israeli trade agreement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [66127/25]
View answer48. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade for an update on the EU-Israel Association agreement; and the efforts being made by the Government in relation to the suspension of the agreement. [66748/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 43 and 48 together.
On 14 February 2024, the then Taoiseach, along with Prime Minister Sanchez of Spain, wrote to the President of the European Commission requesting an urgent review of whether Israel was complying with its human rights obligations under the EU-Israel Association Agreement. Furthermore, the letter requested that the Commission propose appropriate measures for the consideration of the Council, should it find that Israel was in breach of its obligations.
A review of the EU-Israel Association Agreement, initiated by the Foreign Affairs Council in May 2025, found that actions taken by the Israeli government represented a breach of essential elements relating to respect for human rights and democratic principles. In the months following , the European Commission put forward a number of proposals, one of which was to suspend the core trade-related provisions of the Association Agreement. This would have the effect of removing the preferential tariffs afforded to goods from the State of Israel under the terms of the Association Agreement.
Ireland welcomed the Commission proposals and encouraged fellow Member States to support them.
Notwithstanding the positive and welcome recent developments with regard to a ceasefire and hostage release deal in Gaza, Ireland along with other Member States, has made clear its view that the proposals should remain on the table. In her State of the Union address, the President of the European Commission was clear on the rationale for tabling the package of proposals, which remains valid.
The Government has always been of the view that the EU-Israel Association Agreement must be interpreted and applied in accordance with the obligations of the EU and its Member States under international law.
