Seanad CEG

The Government continue to say the right thing on the Occupied Territories Bill, but actions speak louder than words. Settlement trade continues without the action promised. It's up to @HMcEntee to deliver. Listen to the ICJ and the Foreign affairs Ctte, pass the legislation, goods & services - as the Dáil just unanimously voted.

A clear, united message to Govt from @RBoydBarrett @MaryLouMcDonald @ivanabacik @HollyCairnsTD @rodericogorman: keep your promises made pre-election, stop delaying and pass the OTB in full. Attention on Gaza will fade - now is the time to deliver on commitments, not forget them.

Dáil opposition united. ICJ & FA Ctte too. Time to act. With a ‘ceasefire’ in place, Gaza will slip out of news coverage & political focus. The worst thing we could do now would be to back away from our commitments. Over to you @SimonHarrisTD @MichealMartinTD #PassTheOTB 🇵🇸

People Before Profit are using our time in the Dáil next week to propose a joint motion with left parties to demand implementation of the Occupied Territories Bill including goods and services by Christmas. The time for delay and watering down is over. It's time for action.

🚨Senator Frances Black - Ireland’s Future board member - hosted a packed event today in Leinster House on extending Presidential Voting Rights. Contributors included Prof Colin Harvey and Emma DeSouza.

One of the many things I've learned from the people of Palestine, and from the brilliant campaigners, activists and organisations all over Ireland, is the power of persistence. With seven years of work behind us, we'll keep going until this is done and done right. Today I was proud to stand with colleagues from the Campaign to Pass the Occupied Territories Bill, as the Dáil returns this week. My message to Government is clear: it's time to pass the OTB in full, goods and services, this coming term. No more delays, and no dilutions. Things are finally, at long last, moving at EU level. Other countries are following and that is testament to the work we've done in Ireland. A new standard is emerging, we can help set it... but we have to get it right. It must be aligned with international law and the clear findings of the ICJ, which means a full end to all economic support for and trade with the illegal Israeli settlements, both goods and services. We've got a real chance to lead here - let's take it. #PasstheOccupiedTerritoriesBill

This is incredibly welcome news! Working with incredibly committed activists, we have been advocating for these wonderful students for months. It has taken huge dedication for them to envision to work towards the future to apply to study here as they faced daily existential risk.

Today I was delighted to attend the launch of the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade Report on Pre-Legislative Scrutiny of the Occupied territories bill. (General Scheme of the Israeli Settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (Prohibition of Importation of Goods) Bill) It was heartening to see cross party support for the inclusion of services in the bill. This is a hugely important and a welcome step. A Committee with representatives from all parties, both Govt and opposition, have spent weeks looking at this in detail – hearing from experts, from those on the ground. They have cut through the intense lobbying, misinformation and spin and said very clearly: we want this, and we want to do it right. We must end all trade with the illegal settlements, goods and services. This is a cross-party recommendation and it’s hugely significant as it goes to Government.

This is hugely important news. The Occupied Territories Bill I tabled in 2018 was clear, and the ICJ agreed in 2024 - we must end all trade with the illegal Israeli settlements, both goods & services. Today's vote in favour from the FA Ctte is a crucial step towards that, reported here by @JackHoJo. TDs & Senators from all sides of the House have spent weeks looking at this in detail, hearing from experts, and are stating clearly that we must stand for international law, justice and human rights. Despite intense pressure, lobbying and spin their recommendation to Govt is clear and carries significant weight. I'm fully with them - time to act, time to #PassTheOTB in full.

STATEMENT: The Oireachtas must reject scaremongering about the Occupied Territories Bill. The Government, the EU, the ICJ, the ICC and the UN are all clear: the settlements are illegal under international law. It is well past time the Occupied Territories Bill was made law.

Very important.. the EU this week recognised that individual countries like Ireland may ban trade with Israel's illegal settlements under EU law. In June 9 EU MS (incl 🇮🇪) called for a ban. Now 🇫🇷 calls to end "all forms of financial support, direct & indirect" to settlements 👇

This is the US group who provide the “expert legal analysis” on the OTB covered in today’s Irish Times. Palestine is not occupied, the settlements are Israel, these are just “Israeli goods”. The lawyer has represented Trump Jr & organised crime cases. “Expert legal analysis”.

The excellent Blinne Ní Ghrálaigh tells Dáil FA Ctte re OTB: "The Govt's narrow focus on goods fails to ensure compliance with the duty set out by the ICJ. There is no basis in int. law for differentiating between trade in goods & trade in services in the manner proposed."

US politicians are defending Israel’s efforts to tear up international law and annex the West Bank. They’re criticising Ireland and the Occupied Territories Bill. What should we do? Debated the case on @drivetimerte yesterday, you can listen back here: rte.ie/radio/radio1/c…

Govt Occupied Territories Bill at Cabinet today, and in Dáil Foreign Affairs Committee next week. A very welcome, important and long overdue step - but we have to get the detail right. That means a full ban on all trade with the illegal Israeli settlements, both goods & services. We cannot let tech and service-based companies enabling the illegal settlement project off the hook. Govt and the Tánaiste have committed to me, and stated clearly this week, that they are willing to including services as the Bill moves through the Dáil, if we can get the legal aspect right. I am 100% sure that we can. We have published detailed legal analysis and will share more shortly. Over 400 eminent lawyers have written to Govt stating that this is doable with the right political will. Now we need Govt & opposition to work together in the FA Ctte to get this done. Last week, Ireland and 8 other EU countries publicly demanded that the EU finally take action on illegal settlement trade. The calls for change are getting louder. I really, deeply believe that we can lead on this - that by passing this legislation we can spur action that goes far beyond this island. It can set a standard here for others to follow. The key thing now is getting that right: a full ban on all trade, both goods & services, and doing it urgently. That starts next week in the FA Ctte and we'll keep going until it's done. #PassTheOTB

At last Nine European Union countries have called on the European Commission to come up with proposals on how to discontinue EU trade with Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories, according to a letter seen by Reuters today reuters.com/world/middle-e…

I met with @SimonHarrisTD today on the Occupied Territories Bill. I've worked tirelessly on this issue since 2018, and finally, after seven years, I think we will see action. This is so important, and we can't waste any more time. We need to act with the urgency this moment demands - to stand firmly against the horrific war crimes being committed in Gaza and in the West Bank. Two key things matter now: getting this done quickly, and ensuring that the Bill is as strong as possible. That means a full ban on all trade with the illegal settlements, both physical goods (like fruit and veg) but also services (like Airbnb). This is crucial, and it's what the ICJ have stated is required. The Tánaiste has said today that he has no issue with including services, if we can get the legal detail right. I am absolutely certain that we can. I will be doing everything possible to make sure we focus on this issue in the FA Committee and get it right. We have a lot of work to do, but we've gotten to where we are because people all over Ireland have seen the injustice happening in Palestine and demanded action. We've been working on this for seven years, and we'll keep going until it's done. #PasstheOccupiedTerritoriesBill

This Saturday, from 2-4pm at The Gresham, @aliceeire and @frances_black will be speaking at a public rally in defence of neutrality. The Government are preparing to remove the Triple Lock and greatly undermine our neutrality. It is so important to show your opposition, join us!

Today, I was delighted to meet over 100 passionate students from Irish-medium primary schools in Dublin 2, 4, 6 & 8. They stood outside Leinster House, demanding clarity on the upcoming Gaelcholáiste opening this September. Despite eight months of requests, their voices have gone unanswered. These children and their families deserve certainty and support for their language and education future. #IrishLanguage #Gaelcholáiste

Opposition TDs and Senators have come together calling on the public to oppose the dilution of the Triple Lock, saying Government plans to amend it will undermine Ireland's neutrality rte.ie/news/ireland/2…