86. Deputy Sinéad Gibney asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the actions being taken by her, during Ireland’s Presidency of the European Union, to advance the “two-pronged approach” on economic and political measures against illegal Israeli settlements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58491/26]

97. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if she will provide an update on the EU-Israeli Association Agreement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59314/26]

98. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if she will provide an update on all options for sanctions against Israel; the engagements with other EU states from a point of view of implementing some of the options as a means of sanctioning Israel; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59315/26]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 86, 97 and 98 together.

On 15 July, the Israeli Settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (Prohibition of Importation of Goods) Bill 2026 completed its passage through the Oireachtas. The Bill was signed into law by the President on 23 July. Once the Bill is commenced, the importation of goods originating in the settlements into Ireland will be an offence under section 14 of the Customs Act 2015.

The Bill will contribute positively to Ireland’s efforts to uphold and comply with international law, including the findings of the 2024 ICJ Advisory Opinion, as well as contributing positively to Irish and international efforts to prevent unilateral actions that impinge upon the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination and upon the viability of the two-State solution.

While Ireland is moving ahead at national level, the Government remains clear that collective action at EU level is the strongest and most effective route to prohibit trade with Israeli settlements. Ireland is actively pursuing that collective approach at EU level.

At the July Foreign Affairs Council, I again called for the Commission to table a concrete proposal aimed at prohibiting EU trade with Israeli settlements, with a view to a vote by Member States. It was agreed that this will be discussed further at official level in advance of consideration by Ministers again.

Ireland will continue to press for appropriate EU action in response to egregious Israeli breaches of human rights and democratic principles in the occupied Palestinian territory. In addition to our advocacy for an EU ban on trade with Israeli settlements, Ireland has also called for the suspension of the EU-Israel Association Agreement, or at a minimum the suspension of the trade elements of the Agreement.

Ireland welcomed political agreement at the May Foreign Affairs Council (FAC) on sanctions against three violent Israeli settlers and four entities, as well as leading Hamas figures, under the EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime. The measures were formally adopted on 28 May. Ireland has consistently supported consideration of additional sanctions, including proposals brought forward by the Commission President in September 2025 concerning extremist Israeli ministers, and believes that further measures are required.

During our Presidency, we will seek to ensure that work continues to support efforts to achieve a lasting peace in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict based on the two-State solution. This includes advocating for a strong response to direct threats to the viability of the two-State solution, including settlement expansion and settler violence.