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Irish Times
a day ago
- Business
- Irish Times
Foreign affairs committee begins discussions on contentious Occupied Territories Bill
An Oireachtas committee will start discussing the Occupied Territories Bill on Tuesday, when senior officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs are questioned by TDs and Senators on a summary of the Bill published by the Government last week. The Bill begins pre-legislative scrutiny and will continue on Wednesday when Senator Frances Black , who originally proposed the legislation back in 2018, appears before the foreign affairs committee . Supporters of the Bill want it to be rushed through the Houses of the Oireachtas and passed into law before the summer break, but most sources acknowledge that is not feasible. Last week, the Government published the heads of the Bill – a section-by-section summary – of the Israeli Settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (Prohibition of Importation of Goods) Bill 2025, its version of the Occupied Territories Bill proposed by Senator Black. READ MORE It would ban the import of goods produced in the Israeli settlements, which are, according to International Court of Justice, illegally occupied Palestinian territories. 'Daddy' Trump meets Nato, while defence, trade and Gaza dominate EU summit Listen | 44:28 However, the Government's version does not include a ban on services, which it says is not possible under European law, though that is disputed by pro-Palestine campaigners. The foreign affairs officials are expected to be questioned on this point. It is expected that many committee members will seek to agree on a recommendation for the inclusion of services in the proposed legislation when the pre-legislative process is completed and a report compiled for the Government. The process will continue over the coming weeks as the committee hears from several groups and interested parties, though it is not clear if the Israeli government will be invited to make a submission to the committee. Israel withdrew its ambassador, Dana Erlich, from Dublin last year in protest at what it said was the anti-Israel stance of the Irish Government, something strongly disputed by Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Tánaiste Simon Harris. Allowing the Bill to begin its passage through the legislative process was specifically cited by the Israelis as part of the reason for closing their embassy here. 'We have been putting in place arrangements for extra sittings,' said Fianna Fáil TD John Lahart, who chairs the committee. 'We'll produce a report which will tee up the Dáil debate on the Bill.' There is some nervousness in Government about the possible consequences of passing the Bill, with the US government and business organisations underscoring their opposition to the measure. While the amount of trade between the State and the Occupied Territories is minuscule, the proposed legislation is seen – by supporters and opponents – as an important test case. Other European countries, frustrated with the lack of EU action against Israel on Gaza, have been asking the Irish Government about the legislation.
BreakingNews.ie
24-06-2025
- Business
- BreakingNews.ie
Legislation to ban imports from Israeli settlements brought before Cabinet
Legislation that will ban imports from Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian territories will come before the Cabinet on Tuesday morning. Tánaiste Simon Harris will bring forward the renamed Israeli Settlements (Prohibition of Importation of Goods) Bill 2025. Advertisement It will ban trade with the occupied Palestinian territory. It follows a decision by Government to opt for fresh legislation instead of progressing the Occupied Territories Bill, first tabled in 2018. Speaking on Tuesday morning, Mr Harris said Ireland will become the first country in Europe to bring forward legislation to ban trade with the occupied Palestinian territories. Today Ireland becomes the first country in Europe to bring forward legislation to ban trade with the Occupied Palestinian Territories. Ireland is speaking up and speaking out against the genocidal activity in Gaza. Every country must pull every lever at its disposal. — Simon Harris TD (@SimonHarrisTD) June 24, 2025 'This is an important measure, because we are speaking up and speaking out on behalf of the people of Ireland in relation to this genocidal activity,' he added. Advertisement 'But, of course, I actually think and hope that the real benefit of publishing this legislation today will be that it may inspire other countries to do likewise, because it's important that every country uses every lever at its disposal. 'Our own domestic legislation comes against a backdrop of two important developments in Europe yesterday. 'Firstly, we saw for the very first time a review concluded of the Association Agreement, which told us what we already knew, but stated it very clearly that Israel is in breach of its human rights obligations. 'Secondly, Ireland joined with nine other European countries in calling on the European Commission to now review the EU's obligations under the ICJ advisory opinion. Advertisement 'I don't believe the European Union is in compliance with its obligations under the ICJ advisory opinion. We now want to see Europe legally review whether it's right to have trade in goods or services at an EU level with the occupied Palestinian territories.' Senator Frances Black, who brought forward the original Bill, welcomed the move. She said: 'We urgently need to see action now. I have to be clear on this, the legislation that's agreed by cabinet today, it's still only draft, but the Tánaiste has committed both to me and publicly that the Government are willing to include services in the final Bill if we can get the legal details right. 'I am 100% certain that we can and I'm going to hold him to that promise.' Advertisement
