Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South-Central, Sinn Fein)

What is planned is perhaps not crystal clear to those of us on this side of the House at this point. I think many people would have been concerned by the Taoiseach's comments last week that seemed to suggest that it was simply not practical to ban services. A number of questions arise in relation to that. The Tánaiste has said in the past that there is no difference between the Government and the Opposition in relation to policy on this. Much of what the Taoiseach seemed to flag were differences of policy in relation to implications and so on, rather than legal issues. Regarding the practicality of the legal issues, it is the case that the sanctions that were placed against Russia and Russian occupied parts of Ukraine, did include a ban on services. While I appreciate that this came a European initiative, ultimately, the practical effect of it within this jurisdiction is the same. It implies the same obligation and burden on companies to ensure due diligence and the same obligations on the Tánaiste's Department to ensure it also. What is the difference between the situation there and the situation in Palestine?

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