Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)

I thank Deputy Coppinger. First, I was very angered to see how Kitty O'Brien was treated. My Department and our embassy have conveyed that to the German authorities. I say that on the record of this House.

I am not fully convinced. Deputy Coppinger may end up being right but I hope she is wrong. I know she will hope she is wrong that we cannot have a majority in Europe voting to implement the sanctions. The coming days will tell us whether that is the case or not. We are advocating very strongly to try and build a coalition. I believe there is a majority of member states. The question now is whether we reach the threshold of there being a qualified majority. It is certainly a possibility. We all need to try very hard on that.

Ireland will introduce its own occupied territories Bill. The detail of the Bill will be clear when we publish the legislation. I will meet Senator Black when I return from the UN high-level week, which is the week after next.

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