Labour MEP Proinsias De Rossa, speaking in the European parliament following the publication of the statement of the European Foreign Affairs Ministers, called on the Irish government to press the EU to put on hold current proposals to upgrade relations with Israel.

“The stealing of Irish Citizens' identities and the abuse of Irish passports by another state is a gross infringement of Irish sovereignty. It is not the normal practice for friendly states to abuse each others sovereignty in this way. One can only assume that Israel either has no regard for international law or holds Ireland and the other EU states affected in contempt.

“Certainly it can argued that Israel has breached international in many ways over the years, the most horrific being its brutal assault on the population of Gaza last year.

“It may be that Europe's failure to hold Israel to account for the killing of hundreds of civilians, including over 300 children in Gaza last year, has emboldened them to the point of contempt for Europe.

“The only effective measure that Ireland now has is to insist that the EU revise its ongoing relations with Israel, insist on Israel complying with its human rights undertakings in the EU-Israel trade agreement, and put any further upgrading of relations with Israel on hold until she fulfils her obligations under international law.”