It’s anticipated that on Tuesday, the Government will consent to start the development of a proposed Occupied Territories Bill. This new legislation would prohibit products or services linked to illegal Israeli settlements in the Occupied Territories within the state. The proposal is lined up for debate by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Micheál Martin, who will call for an examination that might establish a “legal route forwards”.
Mr. Martin is envisaged to inform his ministerial compatriots that crafting an appropriate solution would be complex, as any proposed legislation must accord with both the Constitution and European Union regulations. The originator of the Bill was Senator Frances Black, who proposed it to the Senate in 2018. However, it was delayed due to legal counsel suggesting it conflicted with EU trade regulations.
Contrarily, in recent times, Attorney General Rossa Fanning has offered new legal counsel due to a July verdict by the International Court of Justice (ICJ). The court found Israel’s ongoing settlement in the encroached Palestinian territory as unlawful, stating that a responsibility lies with all nations to hinder trading or any other forms of support to these settlements. The ICJ also claimed that these illegal occupations were synonymous with long-term invasions.
On September 18th, 2024, the Republic supported a resolution adopted by the UN General Assembly, which possesses the aim of implementing the ICJ’s advisory remarks. However, according to Mr. Martin, it’s improbable that the Bill will reach drafting prior to the general elections. Speaking on Monday, he highlighted intrinsic issues with the current Bill, noting that it was unconstitutional and there are other aspects that would need significant amendments.
Senator Black and Martin have had discussions regarding this concern. Describing the situation, Martin stated, “It’s a difficult challenging path and there’s no point in pretending that it isn’t”. They are also contemplating the potential political effects that recent controversies with Sinn Féin may have on the election.
In separate news, the Government is set to deposit the first official sum of €4 billion into one of the nation’s fresh ’emergency funds’ post the Cabinet meeting scheduled for Tuesday. This remittance into the Future Ireland Fund amounts to approximately 0.8 per cent of the GDP, with the resources majorly coming from unexpected returns on corporation tax. Owing to a €4 billion loan obtained by the fund, it is projected to hold a total of €8 billion by the end of the year. Additionally, another sum of €2 billion was previously moved to the Infrastructure, Climate and Nature Fund at the start of the year.
Charlie McConalogue, the Agriculture Minister is expected to present suggestions to encourage consistent farming practices across generations in the State. He seeks to attract younger individuals to farming as a career and this is set to be at the heart of a new commission on intergenerational renewal in farming, offering recommendations to him by next year. Currently, drawing young people towards farming poses significant challenges with only 7% farmers under the age of 35 and about 30% above 65; the EU too is characterized by a similar pattern.
Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien will present two propositions related to the faulty concrete blocks restoration scheme to the Cabinet. On the table will be a recommendation to enlist Sligo County Council into the scheme, following the Parliamentary approval last week. It is estimated that between 200 and 300 homes in Sligo have been impacted by substandard concrete blocks. The second memorandum proposes to augment the accumulated scholarship scheme ceiling by 10%, from €420,000 to €462,000, additionally suggesting the same percentage increment for accompanying grants for immediate essential repairs, storage and accommodation expenses.