Israeli Settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (Prohibition of Importation of Goods) Bill 2026: Second Stage
Seanad Éireann — 2026-07-08
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Neale Richmond (FG), Dublin Rathdown

I thank all the Senators who have spoken and contributed to this debate, which I was following in between votes in Dáil Éireann, when I was not present myself. Like others, I acknowledge Senator Black on her lifetime of work on this issue, particularly since we were in the Senate, together with An Cathaoirleach and Senator Higgins when we first debated the original iteration of this Bill. The question for this Government at this juncture is, what can we do and how can we act at this time to make a difference in light of our policy goals and the clear, craven situation on the ground? I remind Senators it has been two years exactly since Ireland's announcement that we would recognise the State of Palestine, together with Spain and Norway, followed closely by Slovenia. That decision was taken against the backdrop of the intolerable humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, the shrinking space for Palestinian life in the West Bank, and the need to inject fresh impetus towards a just and lasting peace. In doing so we also sought to show leadership at a time when many of our partners did not think it would be of any consequence. That decision had a real effect, as many of our EU partners and closest friends and neighbours outside the EU soon followed Ireland in the intervening period in recognising the State of Palestine.
This Government is committed to taking concrete actions that will have a real impact. We are prepared to act and we have a track record of doing so when other international partners have been unable or unwilling. In taking forward this Bill, this is exactly what we are doing. This Bill is without a doubt very significant legislation. We will be the only parliament in the European Union to pass legislation of this kind. It will contribute positively to Ireland's efforts to uphold and comply with international law, including the findings of the 2024 advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice. It will also contribute 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.
I remind Senators of what the Government committed to in the programme for Government. We committed to progressing legislation to prohibit the import of goods from, or originating in, Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestine territory. That is exactly what this Bill will do. On the issue of services, it is worth repeating that the Government has a responsibility to ensure any legislation is legally robust, capable of being implemented and able to withstand challenge. This would not be the case in respect of services. We must, I am afraid, take into account the legal, operational and other risks that come in this regard.
I also note that national legislation being taken forward by other EU member states is focused, primarily, on prohibiting goods from Israeli settlements in the same way our legislation has this focus. I do not want to get into a full back and forth on the issues raised because I am aware there will be a lengthy and detailed Committee Stage debate with the Minister, Deputy McEntee, next week and a lot of the issues were aired last night on Report Stage in Dáil Éireann and last week on Committee Stage. However, it is important we do not always speak in absolutes. Asserting confidently that something is definitely happening has been unhelpful when we are trying to have a clear debate on this issues. Let us not forget Norway is not a member of the European Union and is not bound by the same rules. Let us not forget how the Spanish Government introduced an amendment to the consumer protection Act by royal decree. Let us not forget the Netherlands are merely in a consultation period and Belgium is in a similar place. Regrettably, the Government in Slovenia that was progressing very similar legislation, is no longer in office. I remember having a conversation with the then Slovenian foreign minister when she literally asked, "How do we follow the legislation that is being progressed in Ireland?" Unfortunately, she is no longer in office.
Equally, the Government does not have the luxury of putting forward proposals without fully working through all of the potential consequences. We have taken the time to carefully consider all of the options as well as the proposals that have been made as part of the debate and during the pre-legislative scrutiny process. The Government must take account of broader realities including the debates that are happening at EU level. Ireland, objectively, has led from the front in this issue. We were the first EU country to announce our intention to prohibit the importation of settlement goods; others have followed our lead. The number of states considering these measures continues to grow and this has meaning at the European level. Momentum is building daily as a result of actions taken by countries like Ireland. While we move ahead on prohibiting settlement trade at national level, our preference, as stated clearly on many previous occasions is that collective action be taken at EU level. This will have a real impact. Just as we have sought to show leadership on the issue of trade with settlements and on the recognition of Palestine in May 2024, we will continue to lead on the need for effective EU action. Ireland has consistently argued for the European Commission to bring forward a proposal to prohibit EU trade with Israeli settlements on the basis of the EU's common commercial policy for a decision at the Foreign Affairs Council in order to comply with international law.
This two-pronged approach, namely, legislation at national level on goods and a consistent push at European level for an EU-wide ban on trade with settlements, is making progress. The Commission has now committed to bringing forward proposals at the Foreign Affairs Council of 13 July, including on trade with settlements. Do we wish EU proposals have been brought forward sooner? Of course. It has not been easy to get to this stage but let us be clear; this was not on the horizon just a few months ago. This is the result of hard work and the consistent arguments of countries such as Ireland, not just the Government and not just officials but the entire body politic and civil society at large. Our cause also goes far beyond the issue of settlements. Ireland has repeatedly pushed for the suspension of the EU-Israel Association Agreement or at a minimum, the suspension of the trade elements of the agreement as previously proposed by the President of the European Commission. It was not that long ago that when Ireland and Spain brought forward the proposal to open up the EU-Israel Association Agreement, only three member states backed that call. In May of last year that had risen to 19 of the 27 member states. This is real, hard work being put in to bring together collective EU action. We can all voice our very real frustration, anger and complete bafflement by the decisions taken by the leaders of other EU member states on this issue. That unfortunately is the situation of being part of the European Union.
We have to work within the confines of EU law and be aware of arrangements at European Council level. It should not, at some stage, deflect from the real work going on by repeated Irish Ministers to make progress, particularly in concert with our friends in Spain and, increasingly, countries such as the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg. The appalling and worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza demands a very real and serious response, as does the situation in the West Bank where there is a massive expansion of Israeli settlements, alongside rampant and escalating settler violence. This is part of an established pattern on the part of the Israeli Government to create a new status quo in the occupied Palestinian territory. Ireland will continue to stand up for human rights and international law within the EU and seek accountability for Israel’s egregious breaches of international law.
The Minister, Deputy McEntee, spoke earlier about the motivation behind the Bill, which addresses our obligations under international law and what we hope to achieve by enacting it. This Bill is only one element of Ireland’s comprehensive approach to the Israel-Palestine conflict. It is particularly in response to Israel’s creeping annexation of the West Bank. Our overarching approach, however, encompasses our commitment to work with key partners to end the conflict in Gaza, advance a sustainable peace plan and address the huge challenges facing Palestinians in Gaza. It encompasses our commitment to supporting a Palestinian State consisting of Gaza and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, as well as achieving a just and lasting peace where Israelis and Palestinians live side by side in two states - Israel and Palestine - in peace, security and dignity within the agreed 1967 borders.
Ireland has always been clear that our goal is for both Israelis and Palestinians to live in peace and security. The cycle of violence that has brought suffering to both Palestinians and Israelis needs to be brought to an end. We must be careful to remember that and leave space for the people-to-people contacts that have always been the most valuable part of the relationship between Ireland and Israel. Our history on this island means that we understand the politics of division, which never advances a peaceful outcome.
The actions of the Israeli Government are explicitly designed to bury the idea of a two-state solution. We simply cannot allow that to happen. Ireland will continue to uphold the right of the Palestinian people to a state consisting of Gaza and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, as well as the right of Palestinians to self-determination. Ireland’s position on the Middle East is firmly rooted in respect for human rights and international law in both words and deeds. The Government’s record will attest to that, including by enacting this Bill. I thank Senators for their contribution and I commend the Bill to the House.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/seanad/2026-07-08/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:55:10+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-07-08