Ireland seeking further legal advice on Occupied Territories Bill following ICJ ruling

Tánaiste Micheál Martin speaking to the media outside Government Buildings, Dublin. Picture: Sam Boal/Collins

Ireland is seeking further legal advice on the Occupied Territories Bill following the International Court of Justice ruling that Israel's occupation of the Gaza strip and the West Bank is unlawful, according to the Tánaiste.

Speaking in the Dáil today, Micheál Martin said that legal advice previously given by previous attorneys general was that it was contrary to EU law in respect of the conduct of trade.

Following the ICJ's advisory opinion, further advice is being sought at both Irish and EU levels, he said.

The European Union is looking into the obligations on EU member states in respect of the ICJ decision.

"It is a very significant turning point and Europe has to face up to that reality," said Mr Martin.

The update was given after Sinn Féin TD Matt Carthy questioned whether the government would commit to enacting the Bill now, "not tomorrow, next week, or next year when countless more innocent people will have been killed, but now".

Mr Carthy said that the Occupied Territories Bill should not be seen as controversial and pointed to a protest earlier in the week as a display of its support among the public.