Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)

I do not agree with the Senator that the issue is being kicked down the road. It is a very significant priority for Government. It is a priority for me, as a member of Government, and for my party. I have been to the West Bank and settlements. I have seen the proliferation of Israeli settlements across the West Bank and in East Jerusalem. It is beyond comprehension. I have been a supporter of the occupied territories Bill since it was first introduced into these Houses by Senator Frances Black. I co-sponsored it in Dáil Éireann when we were in opposition. We have come from a position where it was deemed that we could not progress that legislation to where it is now: the Bill being a Government priority. It is in the programme for Government. When the Bill is passed, regardless of whether services are in it, and I am not going to die in the ditch in relation to the services piece - I think too much of a big deal is being made of that element - it will be a powerful international statement by Ireland, have no doubt about that.

To be fair, when you produce legislation, it has to be robust and has to be able to stand up to scrutiny. There is no point in producing cackhanded legislation that will not stand up to a challenge or scrutiny. Have no doubt about it, it will be challenged. It is absolutely going to be challenged, so the Attorney General is right. I appreciate the Senator's concern, and everybody's shared concern, in wanting to see this legislation progress.

It is not the case that Government is dragging its heels when it comes to this legislation. The opposite is the case. It is a priority for all of us. We want to do it, we want to do it right and we do not want it to rebound and fail at the very first test. It is reasonable that the Attorney General and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade should be allowed to bottom out the piece about the services element. Certainly, banning the importation of goods in the first instance will be a huge first step. If we do not get services in the first draft of the Bill then, like any legislation, it can be revisited. Whether it will be included in the first instance, I cannot say at this time. I would like to see it in there, but if it is in there, it must be airtight and hold water.