Richard O'Donoghue (Limerick County, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The simple meaning of "divest" is to strip or deprive someone or something of their property or rights. In international law, annexation is the forcible acquisition of one state territory by another state, usually following military occupation of a territory. It is generally held to be an illegal act. I welcome Sinn Féin bringing this to our attention and acknowledge we can do something about this as a nation. Palestine is victim to annexation by Israel, where there are currently 130 illegal settlements, with 700,000 illegal Israeli settlers living in the West Bank and in East Jerusalem. We in Ireland are also involved; some of the funds from the National Treasury Management Agency have been invested in this area. This means our Government and taxpayers are conflicted and have become stakeholders in the illegal annexation of Palestinian territories. The United Nations has repeatedly condemned these actions and violations of international law, which are a major obstacle to peace in the region. Are we not all about peace in Ireland? Yet, our Government wants to delay this Bill. In summary, this is a conflict within the UN, the EU and the Geneva Convention.

Palestinian children have been killed. We have heard many speakers tonight talk of children being killed. I urge the Minister of State and his Government to reconsider and to progress this Bill urgently.

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