Sinn Féin spokesperson on Foreign Affairs, Matt Carthy TD has said that comments by Tánaiste Micheál Martin at a Dáil committee today prove again that Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael cannot be trusted to advance the Occupied Territories Bill or any meaningful sanction against Israel.

The Fianna Fáil leader was before the Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence to justify the government’s refusal to allow the passage of the Occupied Territories Bill before the Dáil is dissolved.  

In the course of his remarks, Micheál Martin said that he intends to bring forward ‘substantive amendment to most, if not all provisions’ of the Bill.

Teachta Carthy said:

“It is clear once again that neither Fianna Fáil or Fine Gael can be trusted to advance the Occupied Territories Bill or any meaningful sanction against Israel.

“The comments by Micheál Martin that he intends to bring forward ‘substantive amendment to most, if not all provisions’ of the Bill will ring alarm bells to anyone concerned by the fact that over the lifetime of this government not a single sanction against Israel.  Instead they have blocked the Occupied Territories Bill which was adopted by the Dáil over six years ago.

“Now, in a move met with cynicism, they have lifted the money message block yet refuse to accept Sinn Féin’s offers to facilitate the passage of the legislation before the Dáil is dissolved.

“This bill should have been passed a long time ago.  It could still be passed this week if the political will was within government.

“Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael have had six years to prepare any amendments they feel are necessary.  Arising from the Tánaiste’s remarks today many will fear that the reason they won’t advance this bill before the election is because their intended amendments will gut the substance of its purpose.

“Israel has been in gross violation of international law for decades.  It has been conducting a genocide in Gaza for over a year.

“There must be consequences and Ireland must take the lead.

“It is clear that neither Fianna Fáil or Fine Gael are willing to show that leadership.

“On the other hand, a Sinn Féin government would commit to:

• Enacting the Occupied Territories Bill
• Enacting Sinn Féin’s Illegal Israeli Settlements Divestment Bill
• Banning the export of dual use products and services with military applications to Israel
• Using every possible mechanism to force the European Union to suspend the EU Israel Association Agreement.”