Harris to advise Cabinet on new EU trade measures against Israel
Tánaiste Simon Harris will tell Cabinet that to 'pressure Israel to stop the killing, starvation, and genocide in Gaza, there must be a move on an EU-wide basis to have a real impact'. Picture: Brian Lawless
There must be “a move on an EU-wide basis” to “pressure Israel to stop the killing, starvation, and genocide in Gaza”, Cabinet ministers will be told on Wednesday morning.
Ministers will meet in Government Buildings this morning ahead of the first day of the new Dáil term, which kicks off at 2pm.
The European Commission is expected to publish trade measures later today that will “aim to pressure the Israeli government over its actions in Gaza and the West Bank”.
Euronews has reported that it will suspend trade-related provisions within the Israel-EU Association Agreement.
Tánaiste Simon Harris will tell Cabinet that to “pressure Israel to stop the killing, starvation, and genocide in Gaza, there must be a move on an EU-wide basis to have a real impact”.
He will state that while the move today by the EU’s foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas is an “important step”, it is “essential” now that European member states can vote to give effect to these measures “as urgently as possible”.
He will say that the measures being outlined present a “clear opportunity for the EU to take meaningful action”.
Elsewhere, further and higher education minister James Lawless will provide an update on plans he brought to Cabinet in May aimed at attracting US scientists and researchers to Irish universities.
Global Talent Ireland sought both “rising stars” and “established leaders” across all disciplines.
The first stage of the process has now closed, and 174 expressions of interest have been received.
There was “notable interest” from the US and UK, with 70% of applications focusing on STEM. Another 25% of applicants related to arts, humanities, and social sciences.
Research Ireland will review the expressions of interest, and a national strategic advisory committee will oversee triage before full proposals are be submitted in October.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin and energy minister Darragh O’Brien will update Government on plans to boost Ireland’s delivery of renewable energy projects through a new offshore wind energy clearing house.
The group will be chaired by the secretary general of the Department of Taoiseach, and will include other Government departments, State agencies, and industry representatives.
Media minister Patrick O’Donovan, meanwhile, will bring a memo that will increase the limit on the total amount of funds that can be advanced to Screen Ireland from €500m to €840m.
