Sinn Féin and the Social Democrats have said they will give Government their Dáil private members time next week to allow the Occupied Territories Bill to pass into law before the general election.
Sinn Féin Chief Whip Pádraig Mac Lochlainn TD says there can be no more excuses from government not to pass the bill that would ban the import of goods and services produced in illegal settlements, including Palestinian land occupied by Israeli settlers.
Deputy Mac Lochlainn said: “The government have now presented a draft schedule for the Dáil next week and the Occupied Territories Bill is not slated to be progressed.
“We do not believe that the government are serious about this legislation. We wrote to the Taoiseach last week proposing a Dáil recall this week. He didn’t take this opportunity.”
Sinn Féin have offered to give up their two hours of Private Members time next week to facilitate this bill going through all stages and to be passed into legislation.
“We will do whatever we can to make this happen,” Mac Lochlainn said.
“There is no excuse for this vital legislation not to be passed before the Dáil dissolves next week. This is the very least that we can do in solidarity with the beleaguered Palestinian people, particularly after the shocking legislation passed in the Israeli parliament to ban the vital support provided to Palestinian refugees through UNRWA. It is decision time now for the government.”
Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns said the Social Democrats and Sinn Féin offered to give up a total of four hours of their Dáil time next week to facilitate the enactment of the Occupied Territories Bill.
“Given that this legislation enjoys cross-party support, it would provide a fitting end to this Dáil term and send a powerful message of solidarity to the Palestinian people,” she said.