Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

In the past number of weeks, we have seen this play out in front of our eyes on our television screens and on social media. We have witnessed actions by an Israeli regime that break all moral and, indeed, legal codes. We have a moral obligation to act, and there are steps that can be taken. In March, before the humanitarian crisis unfolded, Sinn Féin brought legislation before the House, which would require the NTMA to divest the assets in the ISIF of companies that operate within the illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories. The Minister said there were 11 on the list. That is in line with a UN database of companies operating within these illegal settlements. While it is not the intention of the staff of the NTMA or ISIF to support companies there, it is simply not acceptable that taxpayers' money is being invested in companies that are propping up the economic activities of illegal settlements that breach international law and the dignity and rights of the Palestinian people, and it needs to end. The Minister is in the driving seat and he needs to bring it to a conclusion. What is the total value of taxpayer money invested in the 11 companies that are operating in the illegal settlements in the occupied territories?

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