37. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the timeline for the passage of the Control of Economic Activity (Occupied Territories) Bill 2018 that incorporates a ban on imports and services from these areas, supported by the advisory opinion on the illegality of Israel's occupation and settlements issued on July 19 2024 by the International Court of Justice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4514/25]

Sentiment score: 0.10

I welcome the opportunity to ask for an update on the occupied territories Bill, more formally called the Control of Economic Activity (Occupied Territories) Bill 2018, which incorporates a ban on imports and services from the occupied areas. I would like a robust and honest exchange on this matter. Slaughter is happening daily in Gaza and the occupied territories. The occupied territories Bill speaks for itself - it is dated 2018. The programme for Government talks about progressing it. When will it be enacted?

Sentiment score: 0.18

This and the previous Governments have had ample time since 2018 to enact the occupied territories Bill. It is a matter of great disappointment to everybody in the Opposition that the programme for Government talks about progressing it. The Government will change the triple lock but it will progress this Bill some time in the future, ignoring completely the reality on the ground and the new reality of President Trump talking about turning it into a Riviera. I wonder what kind of world we are living in when there is a trampling on international law on every level. The Government hid behind the law with its Attorney General and the advice that said this was not possible, then it changed its mind when the advisory opinion arrived, yet still nothing has happened. The Tánaiste promised the people of Ireland before the election that the Government would enact this Bill.

Sentiment score: 0.09

I disagree fundamentally with the Tánaiste on this and I take no comfort that we are ahead in terms of our condemnation of what is happening. We need a lot more than condemnation. We need to stand in solidarity with the people of Palestine. Their country has been destroyed. Genocide, in my opinion, is under way as we trade words across the Dáil. There is a case before the highest court in the world regarding the genocidal actions of the Israeli Government and its army-----

Sentiment score: -0.26

We are beyond trading words, taking credit for standing with the Palestinian people or recognising Palestine, which I fully praised the Government for at the time. There is no Palestine left to recognise on the ground. Some 80% to 90% of it has been destroyed. What is on the ground is the resilience of the Palestinian people, who have failed to give up at any stage. As an independent republic and sovereign state with a particular background that gives us an understanding, it is time to make our words mean something.

Sentiment score: -0.11

It has been declared illegal by Israel.

Sentiment score: -0.56

The Government must also enact it.

Sentiment score: 0.00