Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

Government representatives have been telling us since 2020 that the occupied territories Bill is contrary to EU law. The Taoiseach refused to clarify a really important point. Has the Government sought updated legal advice to reflect the fact we are now witnessing a genocide unfold before our eyes? That can and should change the legal advice and allow the Government to enact this important Bill. Israel should not be entitled to slaughter with impunity and maintain normal trade and diplomatic relations. Things have changed. We should also be doing everything we can at EU level to stop this carnage. The Taoiseach mentioned what he is doing at EU level. The EU's inaction in the face of these horrors inflicted on the people of Gaza is shameful. Israel's cheerleaders in the EU, like outgoing Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, have created a permanent stain on the EU's reputation. It is important to people to know if the Taoiseach will clarify if he has sought updated legal advice and if he can confirm that Fine Gael MEPs will support another term for Ursula von der Leyen as President of the European Commission.

See this speech in context