Alice-Mary Higgins (Independent) | Oireachtas source

That would be an addition we could support. In terms of the question of Bank of Ireland not showing up and that we would respond at that point, I note that it has already not shown up because it has failed to provide any satisfactory explanation for the closure of the bank account. We have already arrived at the point where it has failed to account notwithstanding that it has had the opportunity to do so. It has chosen not to respond and that is why we need to send a message of condemnation. I urge everyone across the House to send that message. They have the opportunity to do it today.

In the absence of any explanation from Bank of Ireland, we must agree with the Irish Palestinian Solidarity Campaign's conclusion that its firm support for boycott, divestment and sanctions in respect of Israel is the reason for the closure of the account. It is hard to escape this conclusion given the trend across Europe whereby banks have closed the accounts of organisations supporting boycott, divestment and sanctions. Groups in Germany, France, Austria and the UK have faced similar closures. The Jerusalem Posthas reported on the banks that maintain the groups. Several Israeli Government members and officials have spoken about that intent. Amnesty International has noted that senior Israeli Ministers, whom I will not name, have called for Israel to engage in targeted civil------