The Government will tell the Dáil this week it intends to bring forward the Occupied Territories Bill – but it has not yet decided whether services can be included in its remit. The Coalition will not oppose a joint Opposition motion on Wednesday urging immediate presentation of the Bill and its passage through the Oireachtas before Christmas, sources briefed on the issue said. [ Opposition to exert pressure on Coalition to include services in Occupied Territories BillOpens in new window ]Opposition leaders accused the Government of “dragging its heels” on the legislation and played down the prospect of consequences for Ireland if the Bill is passed. “It’s been seven years since the [Occupied Territories Bill] was introduced in the Seanad,” she said. Senator Frances Black, who put forward the original Occupied Territories Bill in 2018 said “we have an obligation to pass this Bill in its entirety with goods and services.”

Source: The Irish Times November 17, 2025 23:13 UTC