This week, Ireland became the first EU nation to declare the expansion of Israeli settlements into the Palestinian territories as a form of annexation. This is a hugely important and courageous step on the part of this Parliament. It follows on from Human Rights Watch referring to what is happening in those territories as a form of apartheid against and persecution of the Palestinian people. Given the decision taken by this Parliament this week, does the Tánaiste feel that now is the time to enact the Control of Economic Activity (Occupied Territories) Bill that is awaiting Committee Stage? Is now the time to enact that legislation? If not, when will be the time?

The Government's position, based on the advice of the Attorney General, is that legislation of that nature is not permitted because trade is an EU competence. I know there are alternative views but it is certainly the view of the Government's legal adviser - it was also the view of his predecessor - that legislation of that nature would not stand because trade is an EU competence, not a domestic competence. We also need to bear in mind that there are other occupied territories throughout the world in addition to those to which Deputy Gannon referred.

We do not trade with them either.

It is remarkable that people have so little to say about those territories.