Happy New Year to all!
Just before Christmas, we received from the Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade and Defence, its published report on the detailed scrutiny process of the Control of Economic Activity (Occupied Territories) BIll 2018.
Senator Frances Black – the bill’s author – addressing the Seanad on January 30th 2018 (Source: Oireachtas.ie)
Two links to the Report are copied below. The first is under Oireachtas Publications and the second is under Committee Documents.
You will also find within the links the Ireland Israel Alliance written submission to the Select Committee, as well as those from other stakeholders, for and against the Bill:
https://www.oireachtas.ie/en /publications/
https://www.oireachtas.ie/en /committees/32/ foreign-affairs-and-trade-and-defence /documents/
You will note that the Select Committee “broadly welcomes the Bill and recommends that it proceed to Third (Committee) Stage for further review.”
Regardless, the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Simon Coveney, reiterated the Irish government’s stance on the Bill during an ‘Other Questions’ Middle East Peace Process session of a Dáil debate on 18 December. He answered a question put by Séan Haughey TD as follows:
“The Deputy probably knows my view on the Control of Economic Activity (Occupied Territories) Bill 2018. I do not believe there are “different legal interpretations” here. The Attorney General’s legal interpretation is crystal clear. Ireland should not do this. Legally it cannot do this (underlining ours). I understand the frustrations of people about the lack of progress with the Middle East process. I understand why this Bill has emerged, but I do not believe it represents the right approach. My views on the legality and consequent appropriateness of this legislation are clear and on the record.“
Please be assured we are following developments closely and will keep you up-to-date on all future developments as they arise.
Meanwhile, please let us take this opportunity to wish you all a great 2020 agus ath bhliain faoi mhaise daoibh go léir!
by Jackie Goodall
