Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent)

What I have spoken about are not legal abstractions; they fundamentally undermine the effectiveness of this Bill. The Deputy and I know that if legislation means anything, it must be effective. Ireland's long-standing support for a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict remains an integral part of our foreign policy. Personally, I am pleased to say that from my very first days in the European Parliament, that has been my own stance. The Government is working to build consensus at EU and international level to support the implementation of a negotiated two-state solution and lasting peace process. We condemn in the strongest possible terms the continuing Israeli military operations in Gaza. We support the review of the EU-Israeli association agreement, and we welcome what has happened in recent days. In fact, Ireland pushed for this. I can personally say that back in November 2023, when nobody in this Parliament was speaking about it, I personally wrote to the European Commission on a number of occasions to raise this issue. When I received no response, I worked through some of the MEPs in the Parliament. Ireland intervened in South Africa's International Court of Justice case against Israel under the Genocide Convention and, of course, we recognise Palestine as a sovereign and independent state. It is very clear that the Government is committed to speaking out on behalf of the Palestinian people.

This morning, the Tánaiste brought a memorandum to the Cabinet requesting Government approval for the preparation of a generous scheme of a Bill to prohibit imports from illegal settlements in the occupied territory. As the Taoiseach said after Cabinet, we are all equally appalled and sickened by what is happening in Gaza, and the Government has decided to approve bringing forward this important legislation.

I will say, finally, that we are not standing idly by.

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