Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Bacik. I agree with her comments regarding the dire humanitarian catastrophe. That phrase does not even capture the sense of destruction and loss of life, of home and of dignity that people have experienced in Gaza. I think all of us are united in working on that. I want to see what more the Government can do to help with the upscaling of humanitarian aid and assistance to the people of Palestine now and in standing by UNRWA at this challenging time too.

On the Control of Economic Activity (Occupied Territories) Bill 2018, it is important that the Government's position is not misrepresented. In fairness to the Taoiseach, when he was before the foreign affairs committee with legal advisers from the Department of Foreign Affairs just before the election, it was made extraordinarily clear that the Bill in its current form was not legally permissible and would require very significant changes. We had a discussion in the House last night where it was said the Opposition would be happy to work with the Government on technical changes. We must be truthful, though. If the law is to be permissible and compliant with EU law, it requires more than technical changes. I am happy to engage with the Opposition on this and I intend to meet Senator Black in the coming days. I will revert to the Deputy on a time for that.

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