Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 January 2026
229. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the engagement there has been with the European Union on progressing the Israeli settlements (prohibition of importation of goods) Bill 2025; the engagement there has been with the EU in relation to the inclusion of services in the Bill; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [74045/25]
View answerIreland has had regular engagement with the EU on the issue of illegal settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including on our national legislation.
The Government has repeatedly engaged with the European Commission in regards to how it assesses the impact of the ICJ Advisory Opinion of July 2024 on the EU-Israel Association Agreement.
Together with eight other Ministers, the Tánaiste in his then capacity as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade wrote to High Representative Kallas in advance of the June 2025 Foreign Affairs Council on this issue.
The High Representative responded to this letter on 17 October 2025, indicating the Commission’s view that the EU’s approach is in line with the spirit and letter of the ICJ Advisory Opinion, and that the ICJ Advisory Opinion does not oblige States to ban the trade of goods from the illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian Territory.
Ireland’s assessment is different. It remains the Government’s preference that collective action would be taken at EU level and we continue to pursue this.
