Frances Black (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank Professor Lynk for his concise presentation on his report. It is a powerful and harrowing report. In his presentation, he said it is time for the international community to recognise apartheid. As he said that, I was wondering how many reports we need from phenomenally brilliant organisations, wonderful politicians and attorney generals and from Professor Lynk saying this is an apartheid regime for the international community to accept it.

What is Professor Lynk's opinion of the occupied territories Bill? That Bill was brought in to have consequences for the illegal settlements and what is going on over there. It is simple and nothing major in the sense it is just banning goods from the illegal settlements because the law is being broken. End of story. Unfortunately, we have been told Ireland cannot lead on this unilaterally and that the whole European Union has to get behind it.

In the 1980s we had the same discussion. The Attorney General said it could not be done and was illegal. There was a change of government, the Labour Party came into government, appointed a different Attorney General and then it was legal. We have had many opinions from top eminent lawyers and judges. Our ex-Attorney General, Senator McDowell, has written an opinion saying this can be done and is legal. What is Professor Lynk's opinion, as a lawyer, on Ireland leading on this going forward?