Frances Black (Independent)

A motion was brought to the Dáil this morning by People Before Profit calling for the passing of the occupied territories Bill, with provisions on goods and services, before Christmas. The motion was supported by all parties. I am so disappointed that the new foreign affairs Minister did not even turn up. This is one of the most important issues on the foreign affairs agenda and the Minister did not even turn up.

I go back to 2019, when Fianna Fáil introduced the occupied territories Bill in the Dáil. At the time, Deputy Niall Collins stated:

If passed, Ireland and her Parliament will be sending a strong message, that it condemns the occupation of territories which are deemed illegal under international law. This Bill, at its most basic, is about upholding international law. It applies to illegal occupations anywhere in the world and not just to Israel and Palestine.

That was what was said by a member of Fianna Fáil, which introduced the Bill in 2019. In the general election debate last year, both major parties said they would pass the occupied territories Bill. In fact, the Taoiseach made a very strong commitment to passing the Bill and said he would strengthen it. Here we are, one full year later, with no legislation and not even a Second Reading. It is listed as priority but the Bill has not appeared. We need to know when the Bill will be brought to the Dáil. The Government has said it is waiting for the Attorney General's advice on whether services can be included. In 2024, the Attorney General said that restricting trade with settlements could be done without problems for services. In June 2025, the Government asked for more legal advice about including services. In July, the finance committee was told that the advice would sought as a matter of urgency. It is now November. Where is the advice? When will the Bill come before this House?

The foreign affairs committee recommended, which included all parties, and unanimously stated that services should be in the Bill. The Taoiseach has mentioned concerns about implementing a ban on services. In 2014, after sanctions against Russia, Ireland banned not just goods but also services and investment. Businesses followed. The ask today is simple: apply the same standard. If it is possible to track and ban services in one situation and one area, why not do it in this one? Spain recently passed its own version of the occupied territories Bill, including provisions on services, in about four weeks. The US is a major trading partner of Spain. If Spain can do this quickly, why can it not be done here? We have been waiting seven years. The Taoiseach has suggested that concerns about US anti-boycott, divestment and sanctions laws, but earlier statements indicated the Bill is about the occupied territory and not a general boycott.

We need a clear timeline for the Bill, the final Attorney General advisory decision on services and a consistent and brave policy stance that can be implemented and tested. The Government is constantly saying it has done so much and that we are one of the main countries in the world that supports Palestine, but it has done absolutely nothing. I ask the Government Members here today to put pressure on their leaders to act with urgency to pass the occupied territories Bill in full, including services, and set a decisive course for Ireland that reinforces our commitment to the rule of law, human rights and responsible foreign policy. I also call on the new Minister for foreign affairs to come to this Chamber today to give us an update on what the delays are.