Latest news with #Bill2025
Irish Post
21 hours ago
- Business
- Irish Post
Ireland becomes first EU nation to introduce ban on trade with Israeli settlements
IRELAND has become the first country in the EU to bring forward legislation that bans trade with Israeli settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. The law, titled the 'Israeli Settlements (Prohibition of Importation of Goods) Bill 2025', was approved by the Irish Cabinet and is now headed to the Oireachtas committee for pre-legislative scrutiny. Tánaiste Simon Harris described the bill as a moral and legal response to the 'horrifying situation' in Gaza and Israel's continued settlement expansion in occupied territories - actions deemed illegal under international law. Speaking at a press conference, Mr Harris stated, 'Ireland is speaking up and speaking out against the genocidal activity in Gaza.' He acknowledged Ireland's isolation within the EU on this issue, saying that no other EU country has yet introduced similar legislation. 'We're pretty lonely out there,' he said. 'But in the absence of Europe moving together, we're going to go ahead with our own domestic legislation.' He called on his EU counterparts to join Ireland in pushing for collective action. 'It would be a hell of a lot better if Europe moved together on it, and a hell of a lot more impactful,' Mr Harris said. The legislation follows the 2024 International Court of Justice (ICJ) advisory opinion, which concluded that Israel's settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem violate international law. The ICJ also held that third countries must stop aiding or trading with such settlements. Mr Harris cited this ruling as a driving force in the legal foundation of Ireland's new bill, arguing that trade with these settlements contributes to maintaining an illegal situation. The proposed law will criminalise the importation of goods from Israeli settlements, granting customs officials authority to inspect, seize or confiscate them. 'We want a law that is impactful and compliant with the laws of our land,' he said. While nine EU member states - including Spain, Sweden and Belgium - have recently called on the European Commission to explore ways to align trade practices with international law, none have gone as far as Ireland. 'This is an issue that I will continue to press at EU level,' he stated, adding that he hopes Ireland's example will act as a catalyst for broader European action. The move has drawn swift condemnation from Israeli officials. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar labelled the legislation 'shameful', accusing Ireland of singling out Israel during a time when it faces threats throughout the region. 'It is regrettable that even when Israel is fighting an existential threat, which is in Europe's vital interest - there are those who can't resist their anti-Israeli obsession,' Saar wrote on social media. Despite this, Mr Harris emphasised that Ireland's stance is not anti-Israel but rooted in international legal obligations and humanitarian concerns. He pointed to widespread Irish public outrage over the situation in Gaza, saying, 'Everybody in this country is sickened to the pit of their stomach with the genocide they see in Gaza… particularly children.' With the bill now before an Oireachtas committee, the government expects all coalition members to support it as part of the Programme for Government. Whether Ireland's move sparks broader EU action remains to be seen. See More: EU, Israel, Palestine, Simon Harris, West Bank
Business Recorder
a day ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
Punjab PA approves Rs5,335bn budget
LAHORE: The Punjab Assembly on Thursday approved a tax-free budget of Rs 5,335 billion for the fiscal year 2025-26, maintaining the current tax structure without imposing any new taxes. The Finance Bill 2025-26 was also passed, ensuring no changes in provincial taxes, property tax, or transport tax, with no additional levies on industries, agriculture, health, or education sectors. During the session, the House approved 41 demands for grants worth Rs4,306.9792 billion, while rejecting eight cut motions presented by the opposition. The newly passed budget and finance bill will take effect from July 1, 2025. Key allocations in the budget includes; Rs120 billion for construction of roads and bridges, Rs462 billion for pensions, Rs258 billion for healthcare facilities, Rs137 billion for education reforms, Rs200 billion for police to maintain law and order, Rs27 billion for jail administration, Rs1 billion for civil defence, Rs26 billion for farmers welfare, Rs66 billion for agricultural loans, Rs18.22 billion for industrial development and Rs37.96 billion for irrigation projects. Moreover, the assembly approved Rs910 billion for various development projects, Rs161 billion for government buildings, Rs26.5 billion for agriculture, Rs19 billion for veterinary services and Rs1.6 billion for fisheries. Grants for registration, stamps, motor vehicle acts, and excise were also approved. Four significant bills were presented by Mian Mujtaba Shujaur Rehman which include Punjab Autism School and Resource Centre Bill 2025, Urban Immovable Property Tax (Amendment) Bill 2025, Essential Commodities Price Control (Amendment) Bill 2025 and Punjab Labour Courts Bill 2025 These bills were referred to relevant standing committees, with the Speaker seeking reports within two months. During the session, government member Saeed Akbar Nawani raised objections over duplicate serial numbers (35 and 41) in the demands for grants, suggesting they should be merged for clarity. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Mian Mujtaba Shujaur Rehman responded that the practice was longstanding but assured a review to determine if a technical merger was feasible. The Punjab Assembly session was commenced under the chairmanship of Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan after a delay of 4 hours and 6 minutes. The proceedings began with heated exchanges over a point of order, as government member Munawar Ghous lashed out at the alleged illegal actions of the Counter-Cybercrime Department (CCD). Ghous claimed that a former councillor from his constituency was unlawfully arrested by a CCD DSP, handcuffed, paraded in public, and humiliated. He further alleged that the officer slapped the detainee, recorded videos, and encouraged bystanders to film the incident, saying, 'Look at him and make videos.' Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan termed the act unconstitutional and illegal, stating, 'If a video was indeed made, it violates both the law and a High Court order.' He directed the Provincial Minister for Parliamentary Affairs to investigate the matter, calling it a 'bad practice.' In response, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Mujtaba Shujaur Rehman assured the assembly that he would look into the issue immediately. The Speaker also emphasized the need for the government to disarm the public, stating, 'I will consider this government successful only when it retrieves weapons from people's hands.' He expressed concern over personal vendettas leading to entire villages living in fear, urging the minister to take the matter to the cabinet. 'Armed civilians spread terror, and murders are occurring in broad daylight,' he added. Minister Shujaur Rehman responded that Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz was already working on a campaign to eliminate weapons from society and eradicate such a culture. He recalled that the cabinet had previously discussed reopening arms licences in Punjab. Meanwhile, Speaker Punjab Assembly Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan read the ruling regarding his decision on June 16th incident in which the Speaker suspend opposition member Hassan Malik for his misconduct during the budget session. The Speaker stated that opposition members attempted to disrupt the budget speech, with Hassan Malik allegedly throwing the budget book at the Finance Minister. 'After reviewing the video footage, it became clear that this behaviour was repeated, forcing the Finance Minister to halt his speech,' the Speaker said. While acknowledging that protest is a constitutional right, he emphasized, 'I will not allow the assembly to be taken over. I have the authority to suspend members for misconduct. Attempts to obstruct House proceedings will not be tolerated.' The Speaker warned that strict action would be taken against any member trying to disrupt the assembly's functioning. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Glasgow Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Glasgow Times
Irish deputy premier to include services from Israeli settlements in trade ban
Simon Harris also said he wants to put pressure on the other 26 European countries to consider banning trade with occupied Palestinian territories, and called on opposition parties to contact their counterparts in the bloc. Mr Harris said Ireland is the only country to publish legislation to ban imports from the occupied Palestinian territories, saying it is 'pretty lonely out there', adding it would be 'a hell of a lot better' if Europe moved together on it. The legislation was approved by the Cabinet on Tuesday morning. Mr Harris brought forward the renamed Israeli Settlements (Prohibition of Importation of Goods) Bill 2025. The Government opted for fresh legislation instead of progressing the Occupied Territories Bill, first tabled in 2018. It will now go before an Oireachtas committee for examination. Mr Harris said that every Government TD will be expected to back the legislation as it forms part of the Programme for Government. 'Let's not forget one thing before we get into the detail of the legislation, there isn't another country in the European Union that you can visit today and ask a government minister about their Bill to ban trade and the detail of it, because they don't have one,' he added. 'We're the first country in the European Union to take this step. We're the first country in the European Union say, yes, trade is a European competency, and it'll be a hell of a lot better if Europe moves together, and a hell of a lot more impactful. 'But in the absence of Europe moving together, we're going to go ahead with our own domestic legislation. 'I would really ask the opposition here not to do this lazy politicking of you know, opposition good, government bad. Everybody in this country is sickened to the pit of their stomach with the genocide they see in Gaza. 'They don't care, the people of Ireland, who they vote for in an election in relation to this, they just know in their gut what is happening, particularly children in Gaza, is genocide is wrong, and everyone has to do everything they want. 'I have no policy difference, zero policy difference with the opposition in relation to the inclusion of services, but we do have a Constitution, we are members of the European Union, and I'm not in the business of putting together legislation that would fall at the first legal hurdle. 'I presume everybody here wants to pass a law that is impactful, a law that is in compliance with the laws of our land.' Earlier this week, a number of countries, including Ireland, asked the European Commission to examine how goods produced in illegal Jewish settlements 'can be brought into line with international law'. Mr Harris said he does not believe the European Union has made itself compliant with the ICJ advisory opinion. 'We will do our own legislation, (I am) open to services, absolutely open to working constructively with the opposition, but also keep the pressure on at the European level,' he added. 'What I hope the opposition will be doing today, every opposition leader should be picking up the telephone, and they should be ringing their counterparts in European countries and saying, 'hey, have you seen here in Ireland we're bringing forward a domestic legislation, would you think about doing it yourself? 'Because so far, it's pretty lonely out there. There's not one other country in Europe that has published any legislation to ban trade, and I'd really appreciate the opposition's help with their counterparts in the 26 other European states.'
Leader Live
3 days ago
- Business
- Leader Live
Irish deputy premier to include services from Israeli settlements in trade ban
Simon Harris also said he wants to put pressure on the other 26 European countries to consider banning trade with occupied Palestinian territories, and called on opposition parties to contact their counterparts in the bloc. Mr Harris said Ireland is the only country to publish legislation to ban imports from the occupied Palestinian territories, saying it is 'pretty lonely out there', adding it would be 'a hell of a lot better' if Europe moved together on it. The legislation was approved by the Cabinet on Tuesday morning. Mr Harris brought forward the renamed Israeli Settlements (Prohibition of Importation of Goods) Bill 2025. The Government opted for fresh legislation instead of progressing the Occupied Territories Bill, first tabled in 2018. It will now go before an Oireachtas committee for examination. Mr Harris said that every Government TD will be expected to back the legislation as it forms part of the Programme for Government. 'Let's not forget one thing before we get into the detail of the legislation, there isn't another country in the European Union that you can visit today and ask a government minister about their Bill to ban trade and the detail of it, because they don't have one,' he added. 'We're the first country in the European Union to take this step. We're the first country in the European Union say, yes, trade is a European competency, and it'll be a hell of a lot better if Europe moves together, and a hell of a lot more impactful. 'But in the absence of Europe moving together, we're going to go ahead with our own domestic legislation. 'I would really ask the opposition here not to do this lazy politicking of you know, opposition good, government bad. Everybody in this country is sickened to the pit of their stomach with the genocide they see in Gaza. 'They don't care, the people of Ireland, who they vote for in an election in relation to this, they just know in their gut what is happening, particularly children in Gaza, is genocide is wrong, and everyone has to do everything they want. 'I have no policy difference, zero policy difference with the opposition in relation to the inclusion of services, but we do have a Constitution, we are members of the European Union, and I'm not in the business of putting together legislation that would fall at the first legal hurdle. 'I presume everybody here wants to pass a law that is impactful, a law that is in compliance with the laws of our land.' Earlier this week, a number of countries, including Ireland, asked the European Commission to examine how goods produced in illegal Jewish settlements 'can be brought into line with international law'. Mr Harris said he does not believe the European Union has made itself compliant with the ICJ advisory opinion. 'We will do our own legislation, (I am) open to services, absolutely open to working constructively with the opposition, but also keep the pressure on at the European level,' he added. 'What I hope the opposition will be doing today, every opposition leader should be picking up the telephone, and they should be ringing their counterparts in European countries and saying, 'hey, have you seen here in Ireland we're bringing forward a domestic legislation, would you think about doing it yourself? 'Because so far, it's pretty lonely out there. There's not one other country in Europe that has published any legislation to ban trade, and I'd really appreciate the opposition's help with their counterparts in the 26 other European states.'
Rhyl Journal
3 days ago
- Business
- Rhyl Journal
Irish deputy premier to include services from Israeli settlements in trade ban
Simon Harris also said he wants to put pressure on the other 26 European countries to consider banning trade with occupied Palestinian territories, and called on opposition parties to contact their counterparts in the bloc. Mr Harris said Ireland is the only country to publish legislation to ban imports from the occupied Palestinian territories, saying it is 'pretty lonely out there', adding it would be 'a hell of a lot better' if Europe moved together on it. The legislation was approved by the Cabinet on Tuesday morning. Mr Harris brought forward the renamed Israeli Settlements (Prohibition of Importation of Goods) Bill 2025. The Government opted for fresh legislation instead of progressing the Occupied Territories Bill, first tabled in 2018. It will now go before an Oireachtas committee for examination. Mr Harris said that every Government TD will be expected to back the legislation as it forms part of the Programme for Government. 'Let's not forget one thing before we get into the detail of the legislation, there isn't another country in the European Union that you can visit today and ask a government minister about their Bill to ban trade and the detail of it, because they don't have one,' he added. 'We're the first country in the European Union to take this step. We're the first country in the European Union say, yes, trade is a European competency, and it'll be a hell of a lot better if Europe moves together, and a hell of a lot more impactful. 'But in the absence of Europe moving together, we're going to go ahead with our own domestic legislation. 'I would really ask the opposition here not to do this lazy politicking of you know, opposition good, government bad. Everybody in this country is sickened to the pit of their stomach with the genocide they see in Gaza. 'They don't care, the people of Ireland, who they vote for in an election in relation to this, they just know in their gut what is happening, particularly children in Gaza, is genocide is wrong, and everyone has to do everything they want. 'I have no policy difference, zero policy difference with the opposition in relation to the inclusion of services, but we do have a Constitution, we are members of the European Union, and I'm not in the business of putting together legislation that would fall at the first legal hurdle. 'I presume everybody here wants to pass a law that is impactful, a law that is in compliance with the laws of our land.' Earlier this week, a number of countries, including Ireland, asked the European Commission to examine how goods produced in illegal Jewish settlements 'can be brought into line with international law'. Mr Harris said he does not believe the European Union has made itself compliant with the ICJ advisory opinion. 'We will do our own legislation, (I am) open to services, absolutely open to working constructively with the opposition, but also keep the pressure on at the European level,' he added. 'What I hope the opposition will be doing today, every opposition leader should be picking up the telephone, and they should be ringing their counterparts in European countries and saying, 'hey, have you seen here in Ireland we're bringing forward a domestic legislation, would you think about doing it yourself? 'Because so far, it's pretty lonely out there. There's not one other country in Europe that has published any legislation to ban trade, and I'd really appreciate the opposition's help with their counterparts in the 26 other European states.'
