ISIF and occupied territories investments
Deputy Brady criticised continued ISIF investment in businesses linked to occupied territories and said the Government had obstructed divestment efforts. The Taoiseach said he would double-check the position but believed the Bill had been accepted with a timed amendment and would consult the Minister for Finance.
We are seeing one of the biggest Israeli military build-ups in decades. Ten Palestinians have been killed in the past two days. The Government continues to provide legality to the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories by allowing the continuing investment by the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund, ISIF, in businesses listed on the UN database of businesses operating illegally in the area. When Sinn Féin attempted to introduce legislation to divest from these investments, the Government objected on the grounds that the database could not be amended. On Friday, the UN stated that 15 businesses were removed from the database as they are no longer involved in, or are in the process of ceasing their involvement in, listed activities in the occupied Palestinian territories. General Mills was on the original list of businesses that ISIF invested in. ISIF remains invested in eight other businesses impacted by the legislation. Is the Government now prepared to withdraw its objections to the Sinn Féin legislation and allow the Illegal Israeli Settlements Divestment Bill to progress?
Comment on this
I thank the Deputy. I will double-check on this and come back to the Deputy but my understanding is that we accepted that Bill with a timed amendment. I could be wrong but I thought we accepted the Bill with a timed amendment to give us a few months to work out some of the issues the Deputy raised around having an accurate register and so on.