Government to Exclude Services from Occupied Territories Bill; Focus on Goods

The Government plans to exclude trade in services from its Occupied Territories Bill, which restricts trade with Israeli-occupied territories. This decision, focusing the legislation solely on goods, is expected to face pressure from the Opposition as the Bill progresses through the Oireachtas.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Helen McEntee announced on Thursday that she would bring the legislation to Cabinet in the coming weeks. Taoiseach Micheál Martin confirmed the Bill would proceed «in respect of goods», stating that including services was not implementable, viable, or legally within Ireland's capacity. He cited solid advice against it.

Progress on the Bill had been delayed for nearly a year due to dialogue with the Attorney General. A previous draft, scrutinized by the Oireachtas Foreign Affairs Committee, had recommended including both goods and services. The new version will now go to Cabinet, then the Dáil. Independent Senator Frances Black, who first introduced similar legislation in 2018, welcomed the Bill but urged the inclusion of services and swift passage before the Dáil's summer recess. The Government is reportedly concerned about legal implications and potential impacts on US-Ireland relations. McEntee is also expected to advocate for EU action on trade with illegal Israeli settlements at a Brussels meeting on Friday, while Ireland proceeds with its domestic legislation.