Occupied territories Bill services gap
Ivana Bacik and Mary Lou McDonald challenge the Government’s decision to exclude services from the occupied territories Bill. The Taoiseach says the Bill targets the occupied territories, legal advice on services is still awaited, and he insists goods and services are different.
I have a very straightforward question. We understand that this morning the Tánaiste brought to Cabinet an outline of the replacement occupied territories Bill. We understand it will operate by merely amending the Customs Act and it appears this will close the door on banning the importation of services that are enriching those profiteering from genocide at a time when we know that 70% of Ireland's trade with Israel is in services. The original occupied territories Bill that had widespread support across the House - indeed, from Fianna Fáil originally as well - prohibited trade in both goods and services.
It is a simple question. Will the Taoiseach be open to amending the Government Bill to ensure it covers trade in both goods and services?
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Of Ireland's trade with Israel, I understand. Trócaire said it.
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The Bill only affects the occupied territories so I think the Deputy is conflating two different things there. The Tánaiste has asked the Attorney General for legal advice in respect of services. Obviously, there is a clear difference between services and goods in terms of tracking, tracing and manageability. It is quite a good Bill in terms of linking it to the customs legislation, which can make an offence under the Customs Act in terms of goods coming from the occupied territories. We will be the first country in Europe to introduce such an Act, and I think that is important. In addition to that, getting a European focus on the occupied territories, which we are now doing, with about nine other countries-----
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Never mind that. What about services?
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-----in terms of asking if the European Union is compliant with the ICJ opinion in respect of the illegally occupied territories, and then the EU-Israel association agreement, where we are also pushing strongly.
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What about services? That was the question.