Matt Shanahan (Waterford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the witnesses for the important advocacy work they are doing. I am not somebody who would be completely au faitwith what has been going on in Israel for the past while. Like many, I have been detached, to a degree, in looking at it and feeling we are not empowered to do much about it. I am shocked by the GDP figures supplied by Sadaka, particularly the idea of 100 times the value being evident in settlements than from the Palestinians. As has been mentioned, Ireland has shown leadership in the past and from communities before any action was taken by the Government.

What will the housing and settlement policy be under Mr. Naftali Bennett? Do the witnesses foresee a change in it? What about the influence of the US if the EU is slow to try to adopt new initiatives there?

As I have said, I am not fully aware of what the witnesses have been doing but the database they have mentioned should be publicised. Irish people are perceptive and receptive to such matters. There are many people involved with supply chain and component manufacturing and it is hard to see their participation in the end product. It is something that must be thought about. With regard to the Palestinian GDP trajectory, the witnesses have indicated that the EU is the largest supporter in innovation. Outside the EU, who is supporting budgets to advance innovation in Palestinian GDP?

My final point refers to the occupied territories Bill. To what extent is our multinational and foreign direct investment sector a component in the Government's resistance to advancing the legislation?