Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)

In Senator Frances Black's occupied territories Bill in 2018, she set out four categories of trade: the import of goods; the import of services; the export of goods; and the export of services. Inexplicably, the Government's Bill has left out three of those categories. This is despite the unequivocal advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice that Israel's continued occupation of the occupied territories is unlawful and must be ended as soon as possible. The violation of international law places an obligation on us to do all we can, so I am asking the Taoiseach to give me an explanation as to why the Government is proceeding with just one aspect of Senator Black's 2018 Bill over seven years later in the face of genocide and slaughter. More people have been shot at the so-called humanitarian aid centres - I make no comparison; it is just that the figures are stark - than were killed when Hamas wrongly crossed the border, which I have condemned. More people have been murdered at aid centres.

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