Pauline Tully (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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90. To ask the Minister for Finance in light of the historic Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice in July that Israel's continued presence in the occupied Palestinian territory is unlawful, if the Government will now enable the passage of Sinn Féin's Illegal Israeli Settlements Divestment Bill 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40665/24]

Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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The Government’s only formal decision in relation to it to date was to propose a 9-month timed amendment at Dáil Second Stage in May 2023. This was in order to allow for consideration of the issues raised by that Bill including alternative non-legislative based approaches or a combination of legislative and non-legislative based approaches which could achieve a similar outcome.

Following the expiry of the 9-month timed amendment to the Bill on 17 February last Pre-Committee Stage scrutiny has been conducted by the FINPERT committee.

Pre-Committee Stage Scrutiny has been valuable in informing our collective understanding of the policy and legal matters which the Bill raises. The Bill raises legal and policy questions regarding the use of the UN database and free movement of capital as well as wider practical implementation issues.

While FINPERT’s report supports the Bill, it recognises the challenges related to incorporating the UN Database in Irish statute and the importance of an appeal mechanism against divestment.

All of the work done during the period of the timed amendment and Pre-Committee Stage Scrutiny will help inform both mine and the Government’s position on the Bill going forward.

Following a decision in April 2024 ISIF has divested from 5 banks and a supermarket chain in respect of investments in the Occupied Territories.

There is ongoing engagement between the Minister for Finance and the Ceann Comhairle on the money message treatment of the PMB.