Alice-Mary Higgins (Independent)

When the Taoiseach is addressing the Seanad, I usually take the opportunity to speak about Seanad reform. I have usually referred to Seanad reform when I speaking to taoisigh over the past eight years. I am waiting for progress on Seanad reform.

On this occasion, there is a need to talk about leadership. That word gets thrown around a lot, but, sadly, what we have heard in recent months is not representative of leadership. What we have heard are reasons why Ireland cannot lead. We have heard excuses for Ireland failing to do so. In the context of the occupied territories Bill, we have heard excuse after excuse since 2018. I am a cosponsor of the original Bill. We are now hearing yet another round of attempts to undermine something that the public wants and that the foreign affairs committee was unanimously clear is implementable. Indeed, similar bans on goods and services from occupied territories in Crimea are already being implemented. Crucially, this is something that is legally necessary in terms of international law. If we want another example, it is already being done in other countries. We have the Government's diluted version. Spain implemented a ban last week. It is law there already. The Spanish banned the import of goods and the advertisement of services provided in settlements. For some, that does not go far enough. If Ireland wants to lead in this area or if it wants to provide any leadership or reclaim a voice of leadership, it has to include services in the legislation. It must also provide a template for real legislation that fully implements the International Court of Justice’s ruling and that follows through.

The Taoiseach referred to implementation and putting companies in a difficult position. Companies should not be trading with illegally occupied territories or profiting from the theft of land and human rights abuses. For us to simply hold that standard is the least we can do.

In the context of leadership, we have also seen attempts to lessen our expectations on climate change. The Taoiseach stated last week that he does not think we can mitigate for climate change and how it is going to divide society. Let us be clear-----