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

The world looked on in disbelief this week as US President Trump made his outrageous and brutal proposal for the ethnic cleansing of the Palestinian people from Gaza. I think we all agree that the people of Gaza have endured an horrific bombardment by Israel over many months. We have seen tens of thousands of civilians, including many children, killed and injured. The entire infrastructure in the enclave has been destroyed and devastated. At this time, it is all the more important that we in Ireland stand firm in our solidarity with the people of Gaza and of Palestine more widely and take strong action against Israel.

Before the general election, it seemed that all parties in this House, Government and Opposition, agreed on the urgent need to pass the Control of Economic Activity (Occupied Territories) Bill 2018 first introduced by Senator Black. Last night's debate gave rise to immense concerns for all of us across the Opposition that the Government was rowing back in some way or watering down the commitment on this Bill. My question is simple. Will the Government commit to giving effect to the Bill within a set timeframe to ensure we have a law in Ireland that would end trade in goods and services with the occupied Palestinian territories?

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