Occupied Territories Bill being “watered down” says Labour

Labour TD Duncan Smith has said that the government has “watered down” the Occupied Territories Bill.

This week, the government confirmed that goods would be included in the legislation, but not services, which is a key point of the legislation.

The long-delayed legislation would ban an import on Israeli goods from illegal Israeli settlements, but not services.

Smith said the decision to exclude services comes despite “clear recommendations and commitments to the contrary.”

The Labour foreign affair spokesperson said the government’s move was a “deliberate dilution of the Bill, goes against the unanimous view of the Oireachtas Foreign Affairs Committee, and undermines Ireland’s stated commitment to upholding international law.”

The Dublin Fingal East TD said, “this is a very disappointing development. After months of delay, the government is now signalling that it intends to water down the Occupied Territories Bill at the last moment by excluding services. This is not a technical adjustment. It is a political choice, and it is the wrong one.”

Smith asserted that Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael are “clearly bowing to external pressures rather than standing firm on Ireland’s long-held position on supporting Palestine.”

“Excluding services creates a glaring loophole that undermines that objective entirely,” he said.

“This move directly contradicts the unanimous recommendation of the Oireachtas Foreign Affairs Committee, which explicitly called for the inclusion of services alongside goods. That recommendation was supported by members from across the political spectrum, including the Government parties themselves. It is extraordinary that Ministers are now choosing to ignore this.”

Smith said that Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael deliberately stalled the negotiations in order to water it down, and have “kicked the legislation down the road”.

“Irish people have been steadfast in their support for the people of Palestine. Week after week, we have seen people across this country protest and call for meaningful action, not just words”

“I am calling on the Government to urgently change course, honour the unanimous recommendation of the Foreign Affairs Committee, and bring forward an Occupied Territories Bill that includes both goods and services. Anything less would represent a failure of political courage and a missed opportunity for Ireland to lead by example. The government must act now and get this Bill right,” he said.