Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 1 October 2026
63. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if she plans to revisit the advice of the Attorney General in regard to the Israeli Settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (Prohibition of Importation of Goods) Bill 2026, following the UK government's decision to sanction both goods and services. [69078/26]
View answerThe Israeli Settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (Prohibition of Importation of Goods) Act came into effect on 15 September. The importation of goods originating in Israeli settlements into Ireland is now an offence under section 14 of the Customs Act 2015. The Act fulfils the commitment set out in the Programme for Government.
I welcome the recent announcement by the UK, France, Canada and others that they will act on the issue of Israeli settlements. The UK measures add to those already taken by Ireland, Spain and the Netherlands, with a growing number of states confirming their intention to introduce national measures, to support EU measures or to consider further work in this area.
Countries that have committed to take action in relation to trade with Israeli settlements are taking a variety of measures, taking account of their respective national legislative frameworks. It is important to note that some of the proposed measures are being taken by countries that are not members of the EU or of the Customs Union, and that other proposals are still in draft form.
In addition to the legislation we have enacted at the national level, the Government remains focused on progressing action at the EU level to prohibit all trade with Israeli settlements. Collective EU action will have greater impact than any measures adopted by an individual Member State and is the strongest and most effective route to ensure EU compliance with international law, as I have set out in detail on a number of previous occasions.
As the first EU country to announce measures prohibiting trade with Israeli settlements, Ireland is proud to have led the way on this issue. The growing number of countries committing to act in a similar way is important to preserve the viability of the two-State solution.
