On behalf of the Civil Engagement Group, CEG, I too send condolences to the family of Enda Bonner and especially our own colleague, Senator Craughwell, and his family. It has been a tough road for him and our thoughts are with him. I also send condolences to Orla Murray on the loss of her brother.

The last time I spoke in the Chamber was just before the summer recess to mark the passage of the Government’s version of the Occupied Territories Bill. It was a very significant step after so many years of work by many fantastic activists and organisations. However, as I and many of my colleagues made clear at that time, it was also a missed opportunity. The Government's ban will prohibit the import of physical goods from illegal Israeli settlements and I welcome the fact that the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade signed the commencement order last week. However, for the ban to actually take effect, it requires a second Statutory Instrument from her to designate relevant postcodes taken from EU level. I would like for the Government to update this House on when that will happen. It would be really great if the Minister could come in and give us an update on that.

More importantly, despite recognising that this is an obligation under international law and the ICJ advisory opinion, the legislation banned only physical goods and did not cover trade, services and investment. The Minister told this House that she recognises that this is necessary and will push for it to be done at EU level. There have been many developments over the summer that are important. First, Ursula von der Leyen and the European Commission have made it crystal clear that they will not come forward with a proposal to ban trade with settlements, never mind one that goes further than individual member states that have acted already and whose legislation includes services. If that is the Government's strategy to meet these legal obligations, it is clear that it will not happen. However, It was encouraging earlier this month to see a joint statement by a long list of countries stating that they are going to move ahead with national level bans, including France, Canada and the UK, which pledged to include provisions on services just like Spain and Norway. We can see here the benefit of Ireland acting and showing leadership, despite what several Ministers told me over many years – and I mean several. We have not been left isolated. Other countries are now following. However, we also see there is much more for us to do. With the right political will, we can do as others are doing, and include services. I would like the Minister to update the House on the Government's response to these very important developments.