Ivana Bacik (Dublin Bay South, Labour) | Oireachtas source

We all acknowledge and warmly welcome the actions of Bohemian Football Club and its hospitality to the Palestinian team. I have welcomed the moves towards Palestinian statehood, the comments of the Tánaiste today and the support for a ceasefire. We need more meaningful steps to be taken on trade. The Minister said the Government's opposition to the Control of Economic Activity (Occupied Territories) Bill is based on legal advice, presumably from the Attorney General. When was that advice given? Why has it not changed since the war began and we have seen an escalation? This week alone, we have seen further escalation that has led US Government policy to change.

Article 24 of the EU regulation on imports from non-member states allows for bans on the import of goods on the grounds of public morality and public policy or the protection of health and human life. The same exception applies under Article 36 of the treaty on the functioning of the European Union regarding goods in circulation within the EU. I cannot see how a ban on the importation of goods does not fall under these grounds.

Will the Minister ask the Attorney General to update the advice in light of the continuing escalation of genocidal actions, killings, besiegement, looming famine and the looming ground engagement of Rafah that we are all fearful will escalate matters to an even more unthinkable degree of horror for the people of Gaza? Why can we not see updated advice from the Attorney General that takes these matters into account in considering the approach of the Government to the Bill?

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