Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Bill or no Bill, that would unfortunately not stop Israel from what it is doing. What it is doing in the West Bank is reprehensible. I take issue with this latest sort of propaganda that it is just words and not action. I do not accept that and will not accept it. I will consistently rebut that argument because Ireland has taken action and will continue to take action on all levels. The Bill itself seeks to restrict the import and sale of goods and the provision of services originating from settlements in relevant occupied territories. As we have said, I think the ICJ advisory opinion gives new context to this. I do not have the Attorney General's opinion yet but we will be getting it shortly. Previously, it was concluded in legal advice that the Bill was contrary to EU law and that certain provisions are unconstitutional and so on because of the common commercial policy under EU law, where this is an exclusive EU competence. However, I genuinely believe that the ICJ's advisory opinion, in our view, places obligations on states not to support the occupation in any way, shape, or form. We will come back to the House as soon as we have that opinion from the Attorney General.

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