Government told their version of the Occupied Territories Bill “morally wrong”

"We have suspended independent foreign policy for the fear of offending Donald Trump."

The legislation being introduced by the Government proposes to ban the import of goods produced in illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory, but not services.

Sinn Fein's Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire called on the government to amend the legislation that had been "watered down" with the "teeth taken out of it."

"Tens of thousands of people have been killed, there is deliberate refusal of humanitarian aid, the starving for funding of the Palestinian Authority, the deliberate targeting of journalists, the abduction of nationals from across the world, including Irish nationals in the high seas, all point to Israel being able to act with impunity," he said.

Likewise, People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy noted that Micheal Martin and Simon Harris both promised during the general election that they would pass the bill.

"That's the truth, we have suspended independent foreign policy for the fear of offending Donald Trump, that's what's happening," he said.

"An Irish government triangulating between the solidarity movement here and the wishes of US corporations. It's really shameful. The interests of Donald Trump are put above standing against genocide.

"This means after this bill is passed you will still be able to go on AirBnB and see advertised a cosy Israeli settlement with no mention of the violence that it took to contain it."

The Occupied Territories Bill was first introduced by independent Senator Frances Black in 2018 to include goods (such as fruit) and services (like technology and tourism).

A Sunday Independent poll in 2025 showed that 74% of the Irish public supported passing the bill.  

The government's current bill falls short of the original version. 70% of Ireland’s trade with Israel is in services such as digital technology and financial activity, which will continue under the new legislation.

Minister of State for International Development Neale Richmond said the government has a clear responsibility that any legislation is legally robust.

"It is our considered view that there would be huge challenges regarding the effective implementation and enforcement restrictions in the many types of trades and services," he said.

"We are taking a twin track approach, on goods, we're legislating. EU member states are bound by EU law, some measures can be taken at state level, others have to be done at an EU level. That's exactly what we're doing."

The Irish government has come under increased pressure to implement the bill as the genocide in Gaza continues.

The official death toll is unconfirmed, however has surpassed 73,000, Gaza's Health Ministry said last month.

The coalition government hopes to have the legislation enacted before the summer recess in July.