70. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to provide an update on her recent engagements regarding the EU-Israel Association Agreement; and the possible sanctions to be taken against Israel on the basis of its actions against the Palestinian people. [68201/26]

The Israel-Palestine conflict, and the defence of the two-State solution, is a key priority during our Presidency. We are working to ensure that focus is maintained on the dire humanitarian needs in Gaza and the appalling situation in the West Bank.

In particular, we are continuing to press for appropriate action in response to egregious Israeli breaches of international law, human rights and democratic principles. The situation in Gaza and the West Bank was discussed at the Informal Meeting of EU Foreign Ministers that I hosted in Wicklow on 1-2 September.

Ireland’s long-standing position is that the EU-Israel Association Agreement should be suspended, or at a minimum that the trade elements should be suspended. A number of other Member States have supported Ireland’s call for stronger collective EU action, and this is a call that Ireland will continue to make.

In addition, while we have moved ahead at the national level with our own Israeli Settlements Act, Ireland continues to lead the call for an EU-wide prohibition on trade with Israeli settlements. The Government remains clear that collective action at the EU level is the strongest and most effective route to prohibit trade with Israeli settlements.

I have repeatedly called for the European Commission to bring forward proposals in this regard, on the basis of the EU's Common Commercial Policy, to ensure the EU is in compliance with its international obligations.

I am disappointed that the Commission has not come forward with a proposal in this regard that would allow Member States to take a decision. We expect further discussion on this issue by European Ministers.