Eoin Hayes (Dublin Bay South, Social Democrats)
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5. To ask the Taoiseach the timeline for publication of a Government proposal on the Control of Economic Activity (Occupied Territories) Bill 2018. [22694/25]

Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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My focus and that of the Government is on supporting international efforts to bring about the immediate cessation of hostilities, a return to the ceasefire and hostage release agreement, and its full implementation including the release of hostages and the resumption of humanitarian access at scale.

The Government’s position and, indeed, that of the EU is clear: settlements are illegal under international law and undermine the realisation of the two-State solution. The Programme for Government sets out a commitment to progress legislation prohibiting goods from the occupied Palestinian territory.

Following the July 2024 Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and the subsequent advice of the Attorney General, the Government decided to review the Occupied Territories Bill. The analysis revealed that substantive amendments are required. As a result, this work is being progressed with due regard to several factors, including the need to ensure that any legislation is in line with the Constitution and to reduce the risk of EU infringement procedures. These considerations remain central to the Government’s approach.

In parallel, Ireland continues to press for action at the EU level in light of the ICJ Advisory Opinion. Ireland will continue to use all the tools at its disposal - political, legal, diplomatic and humanitarian - in response to this dreadful conflict.