Alice-Mary Higgins (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I know that a discussion is scheduled in the next week or two related to the issue I wish to raise. Statements on the Middle East will be held next week, but I ask not for statements, but actions. We must discuss actions in respect of the appalling situation we are seeing in Gaza.

I want to begin first by highlighting that Ireland sometimes, sadly, has had the practice of speaking very sincerely, emphatically and in a strong way, but failing to follow through on that with meaningful action. One very important matter is a test of that, and it is actually happening this week. I previously raised it as a Commencement matter in this Chamber. The corporate sustainability due diligence directive at the European Union is under way and a final vote is due to take place this week. Again, we must ensure that we do not simply talk about the importance of human rights, ethics and environmental standards for corporations; we must actually hold them to account.

I have heard concerning signals that Ireland may be considering abstaining from that crucial tool. I hope that is not the case. Previously, when I engaged with the Minister on this matter, he was very clear that he intended to support it. Yet, it is important that Ireland would follow through and strongly support that kind of accountability for corporations through the due diligence directive.

We must follow through again with accountability. We need to look at accountability in our wider trade agreements. While this is a matter of individual corporations and human rights and environmental standards, let us speak about the human rights standards for the European Union as a whole. I refer specifically to the human rights clauses, which are attached as conditions of the EU-Israel association agreement. I welcome the fact that the Taoiseach has written to say he wants a review of that agreement, but a review is not enough. A review is a long process, and we are now at a point of urgency. Some 1.4 million people are trapped in Rafah, and an apparent extraordinary disregard for international human rights is being displayed. In that context, we need to use the other tool that is immediately available to us in the European Union, namely, Article 82 of the EU-Israel association agreement, which allows us to suspend the preferential conditions of trade with Israel in that agreement. That tool can be immediately used. Again, if there is to be a review, that is fine. Let the review happen after the suspension. Let the suspension be the case and the norm. That action would be meaningful and that is what I hope to hear in the discussion next week.

Last, I come to the issue of the occupied-----