Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 25 March 2026
13. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when she expects the Israeli Settlements (Prohibition of Importation of Goods) Bill 2025 to come before Dáil Éireann; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23065/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra14. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the details of any engagements she or her officials have had with the European Commission or other EU member state officials in the previous 12 months including the dates of those engagements regarding the Israeli Settlements (Prohibition of Importation of Goods) Bill 2025, in tabular form. [23067/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 13 and 14 together.
In June 2025, the Government approved the General Scheme of the Israeli Settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (Prohibition of Importation of Goods) Bill.
The main purpose of the Bill is to prohibit the importation of goods into the State from Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory, in line with the Programme for Government commitment.
Legally, the regulation of external trade in services is considerably more complex than is the case with goods at EU level. There would also be greater complexity when it comes to implementation than is the case with regard to trade in goods.
The Government has received the Attorney General’s advice on the question of whether the inclusion of services in the Bill is permissible under EU law. The advice, which is detailed and extensive, identifies a number of significant legal and practical issues with the regulation by a Member State of trade in services with a country or territory outside the EU. Following detailed consideration by officials in my Department, clarification has been sought from the Attorney General on a number of legal issues.
Any legislation must be legally robust, able to withstand challenge and progress the Government's broader policy agenda.
Work is advancing across a number of strands at official level as well as engagement at EU level. Officials are in frequent contact with likeminded Member States in regards to the EU response to the current conflict and the issue of measures against Israel, both at national and European level.
It remains the Government’s preference that collective action would be taken at EU level and we continue to pursue this.
