Sinéad Gibney (Dublin Rathdown, Social Democrats)

On his way to Cabinet today, the Tánaiste said that people wanted more than fine words on Gaza and that they wanted action. I could not agree more, which is why I cannot understand why it has taken until today for the Tánaiste to bring to Cabinet legislation to ban trade with the occupied territories. We are now nearly six months into this Government's term. Does that represent urgency or strong action? As if that was not bad enough, the Government has signalled that it will not include services in the Bill, which means that a major component of trade will continue to flow even after the Bill is enacted. Gaza and its people are being erased before our eyes. I am deeply concerned that this Government is dragging its heels with this crucial legislation. The Dáil will go into recess for the summer from mid-July so we are running out of time. Will the Bill be enacted by then? If not, will the Taoiseach agree to sit during the recess for as long as it takes to ensure that the occupied territories Bill becomes law?

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