Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)

The Governor of the Central Bank outlined the legal and practical situation yesterday at the Oireachtas committee. Nobody wants to see anything happening that in any way provides any support, direct or indirect, to the Israeli Government's horrific actions and the genocidal activity. We have to operate within the laws of the land and the laws of Europe, but we continue to work our way through all issues.

Deputy Smith asked whether it was my hope or expectation, which is a fair question. It is certainly my request and the request of a number of European countries. I would think it is a legitimate expectation, but I do not yet know. The people of Ireland and Europe are watching on. They are looking at the European Union - I am a big fan of the European Union; it has been great for our country - as a major peace project. It is one of the most successful peace projects in the world. The majority of EU member states agreed to a review of an agreement, something Spain and Ireland had been seeking for more than three years. There is an onus on the EU now to maintain credibility by ensuring that review is swift and has clear consequences. We should see those actions. We need to see those actions quite quickly.

On the issue of services, as I have said before with regard to the occupied Palestinian territories, I am very supportive of the policy rationale for it. However, I have to get the law right. It is likely that the draft Bill will be for goods, as per the commitment in the programme for Government, but, to be very clear, as I have said to Senator Black, the Oireachtas committee will then scrutinise if it is possible to include services. I have also asked the Attorney General for updated advice regarding that to get advice external to my own Department's legal advice. I expect to receive that shortly.

I thank Deputy Ó Murchú for raising the case of Seán Rooney. I want to see every support possible provided to the Rooney family. We will work our way through all of those issues. I also want to see justice for Seán Rooney and his family. We will continue working in that regard.

I also thank Deputy Ó Murchú for raising the case of Michael McNeela. In fairness, he raised it with me long before anybody else ever did. I thank him for doing that. I heard Michael's father, John, on the radio, and you could not but be moved. I extend my deep sympathies to John on the loss of Michael. There is a legitimate policy question here. One would imagine this affects a very small number of people with very particular tragic circumstances. The engagement between my own Department and other Departments is ongoing. I do not want to say more than that until I make more progress, but I am very sympathetic and supportive to seeing whether action can be taken.

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