Occupied Territories Bill set to exclude ban on services

The spring legislative programme does not reference a ban on services when referring to the proposed Israeli Settlement in the Occupied Territory (Prohibition of Importation of Goods) Bill

Activists drop a banner calling on Simon Harris to pass the Occupied Territories Bill.

The Government’s version of the Occupied Territories Bill looks set to exclude a ban on services.

The spring legislative programme, approved at Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting, commits to the Department of Foreign Affairs publishing the Israeli Settlement in the Occupied Territory (Prohibition of Importation of Goods) Bill in the coming weeks.

It said the “purpose of the bill” is to allow the State to comply with international legal obligations, as identified in a July 2024 advisory opinion by the International Court of Justice, stating that countries should “take steps to prevent trade relations that assist in the maintenance of the illegal situation created by Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory”.

The legislative programme said this will “prohibit the importation of goods originating in Israeli settlements located there”.

However, it does not reference a ban on services. The opposition had called on the Government to include this in its legislation, with former foreign affairs minister Simon Harris committing to the prospect being examined. However, the Government has repeatedly said it is more complicated to ban services.

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Other bills that will be prioritised for publication in the springtime include the “expedited development of a State-led strategic gas emergency reserve”, bringing RTÉ under the remit of the Comptroller and Auditor General, and the removal of the triple lock.

Ministers will also seek permission to draft a range of new legislation.

This will include equality minister Norma Foley advancing legislation to ban conversion practices.

She will also bring forward plans for the Supports for Irish Survivors of Thalidomide Bill, which will “provide a special care package to Irish survivors of thalidomide, including certain health and personal social services; home adaptation grants to support independent living; vehicle adaptations; and management of ex gratia payments to Irish survivors”.

Health minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill will examine plans to allow pharmacists to prescribe contraception under the free contraception scheme.

Amendments to road traffic legislation will also be advanced, to follow through on plans in the programme for government to introduce a graduated penalty points system and further expansion of road cameras.