Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 5 February 2025
29. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the Government’s position on the Control of Economic Activity (Occupied Territories) Bill 2018; if the Government will impose any sanctions on Israel given the genocide committed against the people of Palestine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2552/25]
View answer31. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will reconcile his comments around the lifting of the money message obstruction from the Control of Economic Activity (Occupied Territories) Bill 2018 in November 2024, prior to the general election, with more recent comments from the Taoiseach suggesting that the Bill will be replaced with new legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2593/25]
View answer42. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if his Department and the Government will facilitate the passage of the Control of Economic Activity (Occupied Territories) Bill 2018 that crucially incorporates a ban, not just on imports of goods from these areas, but also bans the import of services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3102/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 29, 31 and 42 together.
As set out in the Programme for Government, the situation in the Middle East remains a central foreign policy priority, notably advocating for a sustainable peace between Israel and Palestine through the realisation of the two-State solution.
Settlements are illegal under international law and undermine the realisation of the two-State solution.
As the House is aware, in light of the July 2024 Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice and the subsequent advice of the Attorney General, the Government decided to review the Occupied Territories Bill. The Government’s analysis is that substantive amendments would be required to most, if not all, of the Bill’s provisions in order to bring it in line with the Constitution and to try to reduce the risk of EU infringement procedures.
Work will be progressed in line with the Programme for Government. In parallel, Ireland continues to press for action at the EU level in light of the ICJ Advisory Opinion.
