The Taoiseach was very exercised on Tuesday by the suggestion that the Irish State was complicit in genocide. One of the ways we are complicit in genocide is by the authorisation by the Central Bank of Ireland of Israeli war bonds for sale in the EU. Despite all the evidence that these are used to fund the genocide, the Governor of the Central Bank has refused to act. If this continues, will the Government instead act to make it so that the Central Bank will not sell bonds for countries that are facing the charge of genocide?
Sentiment score: -0.22
Shameful. The Minister says he is not complicit and yet he is saying he will do nothing about it. The Central Bank of Ireland allows Israeli war bonds that are used to commit this genocide to be sold in the EU. The Minister repeats the excuses of the Governor of the Central Bank that its only framework is to check whether the prospectus meets the standards of completeness, comprehensibility and consistency but it does not do that. The bond prospectus withholds ethical and risk-related information. It does not mention the genocide charge at the ICJ and Israel's profiting from weaponry that is field tested in Gaza. It is not comprehensive, complete or consistent. After backing up the Central Bank's excuse for doing nothing about it, the Minister says he will not do anything about it. Legally, he can do something about it. Does he really think it is okay for the Central Bank to facilitate the sale of these bonds? Approximately €3 billion or so have been sold since 7 October 2023. These are used to buy white phosphorous and bombs and have been used to kill 45,000-plus people, of whom 20,000 were children, in Gaza.
Sentiment score: -0.05
It is not a question of language. The Minister might find it offensive for it to be said that he is complicit in genocide but it is the truth. He says he condemns what is happening in Israel. That is good but then the Central Bank is allowing this to happen. It is helping it to be financed. That is a fact. We can see the way these bonds are advertised online as facilitating its "war" in Gaza but then the Minister is saying it is fine. Even if what he is saying is correct in terms of the legal framework of the Central Bank, he can change that legal framework. He has not made the case that he legally cannot. The OPLA advice concludes: A PMB can provide for restricted access to its financial services on the basis of public policy grounds that are rooted in the Ireland’s fundamental interest in pursuing its international law obligations. As noted by the ICJ in its Namibia judgment: "The qualification of a situation as illegal does not by itself put an end to it. It can only be the first, necessary step in an endeavour to bring the illegal situation to an end." The Minister has a legal obligation to do everything he can to stop the genocide and he is not currently doing it.
Sentiment score: -0.02
I am not about tolerance of genocide or civility towards genocide.
Sentiment score: -0.22
Answer the question, Minister.
Sentiment score: 0.00
Answer with facts then.
Sentiment score: 0.00
Then why will the Minister not change the law? If he does not want to be complicit in genocide, then why does he not change the law?
Sentiment score: -0.03
The Minister never answered the question.
Sentiment score: 0.00