Taoiseach says Europe's inability to put pressure on Israel 'incomprehensible'
He also suggested that Europe needed to follow other countries' steps to sanction individual ministers, noting that the UK, Norway and Canada had further sanctions against settlers in the West Bank and against Israeli ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich.
He made the comments ahead of an EU Council Meeting in Brussels on Thursday, where it was expected that some countries would block Ireland's attempts to sanction Israel.
Mr Martin said that there must be European action to try and stop the war.
He said: 'The people of Europe find it incomprehensible that Europe does not seem to be in a position to put pressure on Israel and leverage on Israel to stop this war in Gaza, to stop the continuing slaughter of children and innocent civilians.
'The war must stop. There must be a humanitarian response and a surge of humanitarian aid into Gaza, an end to the blockade.
'I understand there are historical reasons why some member states have a particular perspective on this, in terms of the Middle East issue.
'But from a humanitarian perspective, it is incomprehensible what is going on, what continues to go on and Europe needs to really articulate that in the strongest possible way. We will be seeking to pursue mechanisms to ensure that this war stops and that humanitarian aid gets in urgently to Gaza.'
Mr Martin said he will call on his counterparts to consider the EU-Israel Association Agreement and any further actions that can be taken against Israel.
A review of the agreement found indications that Israel had breached human rights obligations contained within the deal.
Benjamin Neyenyahu's Government has criticised the Government, with the Taoiseach criticising this in turn.
He said: 'Israel needs to stop denouncing every report that comes out using objective criteria to describe the situation in Gaza.
'It's not an outrage, the review. The review, in some respects, is quite, some could argue, a modest document that seeks to objectively present the facts in relation to Gaza, but it avoids emotional language and so on like that.
'I think that that kind of tactic and pattern of undermining those who would even question what's happening in Gaza, that also has to stop. I passionately believe in the reassertion of the United Nations within the Middle East, the primacy of UN agencies.
'The European Union has an association agreement with Israel. Israel should respect all clauses of that agreement, including the Human Rights clauses.
'There are differences of opinion across the European Union table. I acknowledge that.
'But I think there are other areas, for example, the United Kingdom, Norway and other countries, Canada, have now issued further sanctions against settlers in the West Bank and against Israeli ministers, Minister Ben-Gvir and Minister Smotrich.
'These are issues that the European Union should look at, as well as the Association Agreement and aspects of the Association Agreement.'
The Irish Mirror's Crime Writers Michael O'Toole and Paul Healy are writing a new weekly newsletter called Crime Ireland. Click here to sign up and get it delivered to your inbox every week
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Examiner
3 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
Paul Hosford: Public patience has limits — especially when their tax cut is on the line
Like Christmas, it feels like the budget comes around earlier every year. Part of that is the fallow summer period during which the idle hands of the country's political journalists are searching for work. Without the day-to-day Punch and Judy show of the Dáil, there has to be a focus somewhere, though ask ministers at doorsteps and press conferences about the budget any time pre-August, and you will find them rolling their eyes to heaven and asking has it gotten earlier this year and repeating a mantra about the "budgetary process". Given that much of the mid-summer choreography focuses on the summer economic statement and the release of the Tax Strategy Group papers, it is no wonder that those idle hands drift towards budget speculation. This year, the focus has started early on one key issue, not just because it is being speculated upon, but because its actual merit is being discussed, which is novel at least. Usually, budget measures are seen as something of a fait d'accompli and in recent, more prosperous, times everything was on the table because everything was possible within reason. Of course, there were competing interests, but with huge economic surpluses the last government was well able to cater to everyone even a little. However, while Tuesday's announcement of the summer economic statement brought with it news of another surplus, there is a serious question about how it is going to be deployed. Contained in the document was the news that the overall tax package in the October 7 budget is due to be around €1.5bn. Over a billion and a half euro to spend solely on cutting taxes is the stuff of dreams for many governments and one to which this coalition has become quite accustomed. Where does the money go? Last year's €1.6bn income tax package was aimed squarely at low- and middle-income earners with the main tax credits; the personal employee and earned income tax credits increased by €125. On top of that, the standard rate cut-off point was increased to €44,000 and the USC was cut to 3%. Across the board, there were increases in carer tax credits, in credits for renters, in benefit in kind, in capital acquisitions and and with it an extension of mortgage interest tax relief. This year, however, the landscape is somewhat different. With €1.5bn to play with, the Government has already tacitly pledged a large chunk of that away. While a commitment to cut the Vat rate for the hospitality sector is not in the programme for government, despite what some have said this week, it was agreed as part of government formation talks and was taken as a win by Fine Gael, which had pushed hard for the reduced rate. The problem with the reduced rate for restaurants and hotels comes with its costs. In the Tax Strategy Group papers published on Thursday, the authors outlined that cutting the Vat rate for the hospitality sector, including pubs, restaurants, hotels, and hairdressers, would cost €867m per year. While that is lower than the estimated figure put out by finance minister Paschal Donohoe of between €950m and a billion euro, it is a sizable chunk of the tax package available to the government in just two-and-a-half months. Political and social choices On Tuesday, as the government announced a €30bn capital plan alongside the summer economic statement, which warned of moderated spending, it was put to Mr Donohoe that the commitment to one industry could come at a cost to workers. This he accepted, but said that every budgetary decision comes with trade-offs. While the idea of sacrificing tax cuts for workers in order to aid one specific industry is an argument which has been carried out all week, it was refreshing to hear Mr Donohoe say explicitly that the budget is a mechanism of political and social choice. Too often it has been framed as a winners and losers argument, but what it is in actuality is an argument of priority, a statement of intent and the positioning of where we are at any given moment. It is a series of political choices, not a mere shopping list. In a radio debate on Wednesday, economist Barra Roantree argued against a blanket Vat cut, saying that the biggest beneficiaries would be the biggest chains. Why, he questioned, should McDonald's get a Vat cut at a time when its profits have jumped almost 17%? The counterargument, of course, is that the real beneficiary of a cut is the customer. It will come as no surprise that the cost of eating out has risen alongside the cost of food in supermarkets. In my house we use the crudely designed and implemented Spice Bag Index. Through the miracle of food delivery apps keeping receipts, we are able to track the cost of a spice bag in our local Chinese in the years since we bought our home. In that seven-year stretch, the price has jumped from €6.40 to €10.20, though it must be said that the quality remains excellent. There is no question that hospitality, like every other industry, is facing a crunch. The sector has come through covid lockdowns only to face rising costs, constrained supply lines, and a public less willing or able to spend money on entertainment. Divisions But hearing Fianna Fáil junior minister Niall Collins on radio this week saying that he did not believe a blanket cut in the Vat rate was justified, while Fine Gael's enterprise minister Peter Burke "unequivocally" backed it, shows that there will be friction in the run-up to the budget on the issue. Government sources questioned on Thursday whether Mr Collins had gone on something of a solo run given that he had somewhat contradicted his party leader Taoiseach Micheál Martin on the issue. But those in government who want to see the cut in the books that Jack Chambers and Paschal Donohoe hold up on the steps of Government Buildings in 10 weeks, might be minded to listen to the message of Mr Collins. Speaking to Limerick's Live 95, Mr Collins said that there was no evidence that a previous reduction in the Vat rate to 9% was "actually passed on to the consumer" and that there was price gouging in the sector. While the budget will lay out a statement of priorities, the passage and success of this particular measure will depend on public buy-in. Convincing stretched middle-income earners to forego tax cuts, which would put somewhere in the region of €75 a month back in their pockets in favour of an industry which many believe has been too expensive for too long will require some finesse in its messaging. While the row has focused on the differing opinions of coalition partners, the consumer has been left out of the discussion. If the Government is faced with a list of choices that are broken down into binary winners and losers, the average person will always choose to win. But if a Vat cut can be sold as a net good for employment, for tax take and for those who just wish to eat out once a month, then it has a chance of resonating with the public. Simply telling members of the public that businesses are a Vat cut away from viability is not a communications strategy, because it doesn't hold up to any scrutiny. If the public sees nearly €700 million spent, they will want to know what's in it for them, be it affordability or the greater good. Otherwise, it will be back to splitting a €10.20 spice bag. Read More Government to invest €102bn in infrastructure by 2030 under revised National Development Plan
Irish Times
3 hours ago
- Irish Times
Letters to the Editor, July 26th: On a national day of protest, GAA referees, and pearl clutchers
Sir, – I wish to personally support the call for a national day of protest (Letters, July 24th) over the humanitarian catastrophe which has unfolded in Gaza. The vast majority of Irish people are totally frustrated and appalled that; despite the courageous stance taken by the Irish Government, the situation for the starving and subjugated civilian population is getting worse by the day. A man-made famine is now a reality on top of the mass killing of civilians in the prosecution of this disproportionate war by Israel. Some march and write letters to express our frustration. Many others do not, for fear of being falsely labelled anti-Semitic or supportive of Hamas. READ MORE A national day of protest, at a time designated by the Government, which was purely a condemnation of the atrocities in Gaza and for aid to be allowed in, would allow us, in all of our diversity as citizens to vent our anger and express national solidarity with the people of Gaza. If other countries did the same it would be powerful and perhaps might make a difference. As chair of the Irish Emergency Alliance, which brings together eight Irish agencies who respond to international humanitarian emergencies, it is uniquely frustrating to see thousands of trucks containing life-saving food, water and medicine languishing at the border unused, while suffering civilians and indeed humanitarian workers and doctors are deprived of assistance. Mary Robinson said that what Israel is doing is 'dehumanising' the people of Gaza by the manner of the prosecution of the war against Hamas. Words have lost all meaning in the face of such inhumanity. A national day of protest over Gaza would be a meaningful statement of solidarity by the Irish people. – Yours, etc. LIZ O'DONNELL, (Former TD) Blackrock, Co Dublin. Sir, – Given the horrific suffering of the Palestinian people, surely it is time for all of the leaders of the world to go to Gaza. If they witness what is happening surely they will act? – Yours, etc, (in fading hope), ALICE O'DONNELL, Delgany, Co Wicklow. Sir, – John O'Neill (Letters, July 24th) rightly points out the error in conflating Jewish identity with the actions of the Israeli state. I offer the following comparison: In 2022 almost 74 per cent of the Israeli population identified as Jewish. In Portugal, the 2021 census identified 80 per cent of the population as Catholic. If the government of Portugal embarked on some terrible military action against a part of Spain which action was condemned worldwide, would any sane, rational person say that any criticism of the Portuguese government was anti-Catholic? I think not. – Yours, etc, GERARD CLARKE, Dundrum Dublin Sir, – If you didn't see the interview on RTÉ Prime Time with Bob Geldof on Thursday regarding Gaza, you should find it on the RTÉ player. He spoke the truth, clearly and honestly, a man who has a track record in recognising human suffering. I emailed Prime Time after the programme. Ireland and Israel are both members of the European Broadcasting Union. Could RTÉ Prime Time please share the interview with Bob Geldof with all the members of the union? It might help. – Yours, etc, PAUL MULLIGAN, Vergemount Park, Dublin 6. Sir, – Bob Geldof made a passionate plea to stop Israel's massacre of Palestinians in Gaza and the state-sponsored terrorism in the West Bank (RTE 1, Prime Time, July 24th). Bob's humanitarian track record through many decades, which commands respect internationally, together with his communication skills, position him to be an outstanding president of Ireland. – Yours, etc, TOM CARROLL, Ennis Road, Limerick. Don't forget about Sudan Sir, – Dominic Crowley, the CEO of Concern, welcomes the UN secretary general's focus on Gaza ('What did we do to stop this?', Irish Times Letters, July 25th). However, bad as the situation in Gaza is, it is dwarfed by the suffering in the ongoing Sudanese war that broke out in 2023. According to the European Commission some 25 million Sudanese are affected by food shortages with some four million children suffering from acute hunger. Famine has now been confirmed in 10 areas. The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) estimates that 6.7 million women and girls in Sudan are facing alarming levels of sexual violence. UN health chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has complained that there is less global interest in the conflict in Sudan compared to crises elsewhere in the world. Why are some wars deemed more worthy of our attention than others? – Yours, etc, KARL MARTIN, Bayside, Dublin 13. Bad language Sir, – With reference to Brianna Parkins' article ' People who get up early in the morning for no reason are a menace to society ,' (July 19th), I consider it not so much about vulgarity, but rather normal conversational Jackeen English, spoken by the ordinary denizens of Ireland's capital city. Somehow, 'Upon reflection the exertion proved to be unwarranted,' does not seem quite up to par with 'But I shouldn't have bothered my hole'. – Yours, etc, SEÁN O'BRIEN, Donaghmede, Dublin. Sir, – I usually enjoy Brianna Parkins's articles in Saturday's Magazine but the coarse language used on Saturday July 19th shocked, nay disappointed, me. – Yours, etc, PAT DALY, Kilkenny. Criticism of MetroLink Sir, – A lot of the criticism of the MetroLink project are well founded. That said, there has been very little discussion of problems arising from the practicalities of the whole thing. If, as proposed, the line starts and finishes in Swords the first thing this will do is displace current users of public transport commuting from Swords to the city centre from the bus network to the rail network as happened when Luas was introduced. One can only imagine the scenes at the Dublin Airport stop when a full train arrives from Swords during peak hours and airport passengers attempt to board with accompanying luggage. The same would happen with trains to the airport in the evenings with disgruntled passengers unable to board at stops other than the terminus. This whole thing needs to be reconsidered. – Yours, et, BRENDAN McMAHON, Naaas, Co Kildare. Light rail for Galway Sir, – Anthony Moran (Letters, July 24th) calls light rail in Galway a 'deluded fantasy,' but facts suggest otherwise. The 2024 Gluas feasibility study identified a viable east-west corridor with demand already exceeding 60 per cent of the passenger volumes seen on the initial Luas Red Line. Construction timelines for light rail in cities of similar size – such as Bergen, Norway (population: 280,000) – have been achieved within four years with minimal disruption. Far from being a 'fantasy,' light rail represents a practical, scalable solution to Galway's worsening congestion and climate obligations. Dismissing it out of hand serves no one – least of all the people of Galway. – Yours, etc. RICHARD LOGUE, Moville, Co Donegal. Bye, bye, summer? Sir, – When summer comes can autumn be far behind? The leaves on one of the trees in the green area opposite my house are beginning to turn. – Yours, etc, JANE MEREDITH, Dublin 18. Blair apology to Guildford Four Sir, – I refer to the article ' Tony Blair's letter saying sorry to Guildford Four was not intended as an apology ' (July 22nd). The article ignores the letter of public apology made by Mr Blair to myself and the other members of The Guildford Four as well as the Maguire Seven on February 9th, 2005. This letter stated that: 'There was a miscarriage of justice in the case of Gerard Conlon and all of the Guildford Four…' The then prime minister goes on to acknowledge 'the trauma that the conviction caused the Conlon and Maguire families and the stigma which wrongly attaches to them to this day' and unreservedly apologises when he says 'I am very sorry that they were subject to such an ordeal and injustice. That is why I'm making this apology: they deserve to be publicly and completely exonerated.' While it came 16 years after our release, Mr Blair's apology meant a great deal to me and my family and many others. I hope this is what will be remembered and not some internal correspondence which suggests a government nervous about making such a public apology. – Yours ,etc. PADDY ARMSTRONG, (Guildford Four) Clontarf, Dublin 3. Women's GAA and referees Sir, – Having watched many of the games in the women's championship this year it's impossible not to pull your hair out at the constant referees' decisions on what is a foul. If a player breathes on an opposition player the referee blows the whistle. While we all acknowledge the contribution referees make to our Gaelic games it seems they are instructed not to allow any tackling at all in the women's game. If the same was applied to the men's game, the games would be a farce. I watched the women's semi-finals and it was infuriating to see the constant stoppages for what were perceived to be fouls. I hope the final between Meath and Dublin will not be marred by these constant stoppages for innocuous 'fouls'; where even the advantage rule is not applied. It's ruining the women's game and you can see the frustration among the players. It's a great competition. Let's not ruin it by making it a non-contact sport altogether. – Yours, etc, KEVIN BYRNE, Bantry, West Cork. Sir, – Apropos Frank McNally's catechism of GAA clichés (An Irishman's Diary, July 24th), I propose the following addition: How do commentators and analysts react when the referee doesn't see or ignores a number of fouls? The ref is having a good game, he's letting it flow. –Yours , etc, JOHN SHORTEN, Balbriggan, Co Dublin. Sir, – Frank McNally has found every GAA commentator's script. Who was a pundit in a past life? Either way, everyone should take notes. – Yours, etc, JAMES CLEAR, Dún Laoghaire Co Dublin. Winding down the clock Sir, – It is interesting that when TV stations broadcast matches like the All-Ireland football final live the match clock counts up showing the amount of time that has passed. Surely the clock should count down, showing the time remaining as this is what really matters? – Yours, etc, PAT KENNEDY, Navan, Co Meath. The housing crisis Sir, – The article by John McManus (' We need to face reality that housing cannot be solved, ' July 23rd) sets out the issue central to the so-called housing crisis faced by the Government. The population of this country is racing ahead of any possibility of either the private or public sectors building enough units to house all over the coming decade. He goes on to suggest that official estimates of the population are 'wildly underestimated' at 5.45 million in 2023. With the brokers Davy expecting the population to hit some 5.9 million by 2030, the task of meeting the demand for accommodation ( estimated by Davy at 120,000 units per annum) is entirely beyond us. It's time the Government came clean with the reality of the challenge being faced and accepted that housing production cannot keep pace with population growth. The only alternative is to control migration, thus cooling the housing market. In that regard it may well be that the Trump tariffs will actually do us a favour through us being forced to press the pause button on foreign direct investment (FDI) and the obsession with jobs growth. – Yours, etc, MICHAEL GILMARTIN, Blackrock, Co Dublin. Pearl clutchers Sir, – To say, as Stephen Wall does (Letters, July 24th), that the new 22-storey College Square tower on Tara Street has a 'catastrophic impact on the historic urban landscape' seems pearl-clutching in the extreme. The tower is more of a harbinger of a future Dublin when its current detractors (and supporters) will have left the stage. The edifice is tall, imposing, majestic even. Please can we have more of this type of thing? – Yours, etc, BRIAN AHERN, Clonsilla, Dublin.
The Journal
6 hours ago
- The Journal
Foreign Affairs Committee recommends inclusion of services in Israeli settlements trade ban
A COMMITTEE HAS 'unanimously' recommended that services should be included in the Government's proposed ban on trade with illegal Israeli settlements, a TD has said. The Oireachtas Foreign Affairs committee is making the recommendation after hearing evidence from expert witnesses in relation to the Israeli Settlements (Prohibition of Importation of Goods) Bill 2025. The report containing the recommendation is expected to be published next Wednesday. The Irish Government has said it will legislate to ban the trade of goods with illegal Israeli settlements following an advisory opinion from the UN's top court. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) said last year that countries should 'take steps to prevent trade or investment relations' that maintain illegal Israeli settlements on Palestinian land. Although the opinion does not differentiate between types of trade, government figures have indicated a ban on services is more legally complex. Sinn Féin TD and member of the committee Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire said the 'vitally important' recommendation to include services received 'no push back' from any committee member. He said that could encompass services across financial, tech and accommodation sectors. Advertisement 'Clearly, morally, the same issue arises whether it is goods or services, you're still trading with illegal settlements that are undermining the potential for peace in the Middle East.' He lamented the humanitarian disaster and widespread starvation in Gaza in what he called 'human rights abuses upon human rights abuses' in the Palestinian enclave. The foreign affairs committee's recommendation has been welcomed by Christian Aid Ireland as 'hugely significant'. The charity's head of policy Conor O'Neill said: 'Despite all the spin, misinformation and threats, TDs and senators from both Government and opposition spent weeks looking at the Occupied Territories Bill in detail, weighing up the evidence, hearing from experts and considering the impact. 'They have said unequivocally: it is time to ban all trade with the illegal Israeli settlements, both goods and services, in line with international law. 'This is a crucial vote of confidence and a clear message to Government that we must do this right. 'Ultimately it doesn't matter whether you're importing a box of olives produced on stolen Palestinian farmland, or booking a holiday rental in a stolen Palestinian home on a service platform like Airbnb. 'A euro of support is a euro of support, and the ICJ was clear that all of it has to end. The Oireachtas Foreign Affairs Committee have upheld this very strongly today, and Government must listen. 'We need to pass a full, effective Occupied Territories Bill as a matter of urgency.'
