Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)

I very much appreciate the context. Let me be very clear: the Government intends to progress with this legislation. I also have an open mind about services. Both of those situations remain factually true and very clear in my mind, and clear in the view of the Government. However, as an Oireachtas we want to pass legislation fully informed, with our eyes wide open. That is why it is really important, and it is not for me to interfere, that the Oireachtas committee is going to hear from people with different perspectives and different views. That is an important thing to do. Of course my Department has a responsibility for representing Ireland externally. Of course we are going to continue to engage, explain our position and also be aware of the compatibility of our law and how it is viewed in other people's countries. That is an appropriate thing to do. We are very clear that this is not a Bill that boycotts Israel. It is a Bill that prohibits trade with illegally occupied territories in line with the International Court of Justice, ICJ, advisory opinion, and it is very appropriate and important that our embassy network make that point. Our embassy team in the United States would of course interlock with its counterparts there. That is appropriate and it should continue to do that.

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