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

We continue to see appalling loss of life in the Middle East and a really concerning escalation over recent days with the awful killings in Lebanon. All the while, Israel's brutal bombardment of Gaza and horrific human rights abuses in the West Bank continue. If Israel is behind the deaths in Lebanon, as we all assume, there must be consequences. We believe that stronger action is needed from the Government. We very much welcomed recognition of the State of Palestine but we believe that the Government should adopt a stronger position on sanctioning Israel. I call on the Government to pass the occupied territories Bill. I have in my hand a new legal opinion published at an event recently organised by Senator Frances Black concluding that the case for passing the occupied territories Bill is even stronger since the UN issued its advisory opinion. It also states that EU law does not prevent Ireland from acting unilaterally on this. I know that the Taoiseach has sought a new opinion from the Attorney General on the status of the occupied territories Bill, which would enable the passage of stronger trade sanctions against Israel. Will the Government commit to publishing the Attorney General's advice? Can the Minister give us any timeline as to when that advice will be published and when action will be taken on this?

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