Occupied Territories Bill complex and hard to enforce, Helen McEntee warns

Foreign minister says legal complexity, international opposition and Gaza ceasefire must be weighed before progressing Occupied Territories legislation

Foreign affairs minister Helen McEntee said her main focus at present was ensuring there was a move into the second phase of the Gaza peace plan.

The Government must be “conscious” of actions it takes around the Occupied Territories Bill given the fragility of the ceasefire in Gaza, the foreign minister has said.

Helen McEntee confirmed she had received updated advice from the Attorney General over the legislation, and whether it was possible to include services in the import ban from the occupied Palestinian territories.

“What I can say is that it’s very clear from the AG’s response that it is extremely complex in application and also in being able to enforce,” Ms McEntee said.

She added her officials had responded to the advice with a number of questions, seeking clarity on what might be possible with the legislation.

“My objective will always be in anything that I do, that it actually makes an impact on the ground and that it actually makes a difference.” 

Ms McEntee said her main focus at present was ensuring there was a move into the second phase of the Gaza peace plan, citing her meetings with the Egyptian foreign minister earlier this week.

Asked if this meant the legislation would solely focus on banning importation of goods from the occupied Palestinian territories, Ms McEntee said she could not say at present.

“I think we have to explore both options. We have to look at what is in the best interest of people in Palestine and in Gaza. That’s my goal and objective here."

Asked if she was ruling out the inclusion of services, Ms McEntee said: “I’m not ruling it out, but I’m not rushing into something that I’m not clear will do good.” 

The foreign affairs minister said the Government needed to be “conscious” of anything it does and what impact it could have on moving to the next stage of the ceasefire.

“I think we need to look at our own role in this. It’s very clear that there is huge opposition, not just from Israel but from the US and from others to this bill. That’s not a reason not to do it,” Ms McEntee said.

“However, we have to balance that. What do we have to offer here?” 

Ms McEntee said Ireland could play a “strong role” given its experience with peace in Northern Ireland, as well as good relations with countries like Egypt and Jordan in the Middle East.

“It’s not a matter of doing one and think it doesn’t impact the other. We have to balance all of these and make sure that everything that we do and everything that I do, that it’s actually going to have a positive impact.” 

Meanwhile, Ms McEntee said Ireland would “of course” support Denmark if the US uses military action to take control of Greenland She said there would be “catastrophic” consequences if the US opted to use force to annex Greenland, which is a Danish territory in the Arctic.

“I think we’re at a really weird juncture here. I think we have to work on the basis and it’s very hard to comprehend anything other than a Nato country would never, by force, take or invade another Nato country,” Ms McEntee said.

She said the EU needed to work on the basis that US military action in Greenland could not happen, while calling for further engagement between the US administration and the Danish Government.

“Because this, for wider implications for Nato and for security more globally, this is kind of unthinkable given the challenges that are happening across the globe,” Ms McEntee added.