The horror of Israel’s war in Gaza has led to revulsion across the political spectrum in Ireland and various efforts to act to register this disgust both at home and on the international stage.
There was much sympathy for Israel in the aftermath of the Hamas attack on October 7th, 2023 when 1,200 people were killed and 251 taken hostage.
Irish politicians maintain their calls for the remaining 57 hostages to be released - of whom around 20 are believed to be still alive.
However, the disproportionate nature of Israel’s response to October 7th – around 54,000 people have been killed in Gaza since according to the Hamas-run health ministry – has caused outrage in Ireland.
That anger was on display in the Dáil on Tuesday evening when proceedings were suspended after pro-Palestine protesters noisily disrupted a debate on a Sinn Féin motion.
As Marie O’Halloran reports, about 40 people held up Palestinian flags and unfurled a large banner stating “sanction Israel”.
They banged on the protective glass of the visitors’ gallery chanting “stop the genocide” and “shame on you” during a debate on a Sinn Féin motion to prevent the Central Bank from allegedly facilitating the sale of Israeli war bonds, which they said is funding genocide in Gaza.
They protested as Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe dismissed as unworkable the Restrictive Financial Measures (State of Israel) Bill as he also insisted the Central Bank does not sell or oversee the sale of Israeli bonds.
Gardaí and ushers escorted most of the protesters out after the House was suspended for 10 minutes.
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald said when the debate resumed that there was “widespread anger” over genocide in Gaza but “weasel words from the Minister”.
That debate – and protest - came as part of renewed pressure on the Government to expand its legal and political opposition to the Israeli assault on Gaza.
On Tuesday, Tánaiste Simon Harris secured Cabinet approval to begin drafting legislation banning trade with the Occupied Territories, saying he hoped other European Union countries would join Ireland in banning trade from the illegally occupied areas.
But there was criticism of the pace with which the Bill is expected to proceed through the Oireachtas, as well as its scope.
The Coalition indicated on Tuesday t it was unlikely to include trade in services in its Bill, which is being sought by the Opposition and by Independent Senator Frances Black, who drafted the first Bill in the area seven years ago.
A Government spokesman said it was not proposed to regulate trade in services “at this time”.
The Coalition said it will take into account recommendations on this front that arise during pre-legislative scrutiny.
Political Editor Pat Leahy has written an explainer on the new version of the Occupied Territories Bill, what’s in it, how it has changed from what was proposed before and what the implications might be.
Meanwhile, the Labour Party will use its Dáil time today to call on the Taoiseach to bring an emergency resolution at the United Nations seeking an international peacekeeping force for Gaza.
The Coalition has indicated it will not oppose the motion.
There is set to be a protest for peace outside Leinster House this evening.
All of this comes a year to the day since Ireland, alongside Spain and Norway announced that they would recognise the State of Palestine.
Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Harris said this decision was an “expression of hope based on our conviction that the only just and sustainable peaceful solution, for both Palestinians and Israelis, is the implementation of a two-State solution.”
A year on, Mr Harris said: “We need to see an immediate end to hostilities, the release of remaining hostages and humanitarian access at scale into and throughout Gaza.”
Best Reads
In today’s lead story Shauna Bowers continues her coverage of the storm swirling around Children’s Health Ireland (CHI). She reports that Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill is actively considering subsuming CHI - the operator of paediatric healthcare in the State - into the Health Service Executive as a result of the recent controversies. These issues include the implantation of unapproved springs into children with scoliosis; the threshold for hip surgeries; and surgical outcomes for children in the orthopaedic service.
There was a formal State apology to the family of hit-and-run victim Shane O’Farrell on Tuesday. They said afterwards they hope it was a “watershed moment” for the administration of justice in Ireland. Shane O’Farrell died in August 2011 when he was struck by Zigimantas Gridziuska, who should have been in prison at the time. During a Dáil debate, Sinn Féin said there was evidence Gridziuska was a “garda informer” and had been protected “above all else”. Marie O’Halloran and Harry McGee report.
Our Environment Editor Kevin O’Sullivan details how Ireland’s greenhouse gas emissions target has fallen further off course, heightening probability of being hit with billions in fines.
On the opinion pages Michael McDowell writes that for all his bragging, US President Donald Trump knows he has little leverage with either Putin or Netanyahu.
Playbook
TDs have an opportunity to raise “Topical Issues” in the Dáil from 9am.
The Dáil will debate a Labour Party motion calling on the Government to table an emergency resolution at the United Nations General Assembly to address the failure of the Security Council to protect the people of Gaza.
Leaders’ Questions is at noon.
Government business in the afternoon includes a debate on proposed legislation to expand access to the Insolvency Payments Scheme (IPS) for employees of businesses that have ceased trading but have not been formally wound up.
Legislation aimed at bringing in enhanced supports for survivors of abuse in residential institutions will be debated from 5:46pm.
The weekly Dáil votes are scheduled for 8:46pm.
There will be statements on Ireland’s Economic Outlook (2pm) and Competitiveness (4:30pm) in the Seanad.
At 6pm Senators will debate proposed Opposition legislation on bringing derelict buildings back into use.
In committee-land there an overview of the work of the National Transport Authority for the TDs and Senators on the Committee on Transport.
At 12:30pm the Committee on Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport will consider: “matters relating to policy, governance, expenditure and administration at RTÉ.” There were a series of high profile committee meetings during the last Dáil amid controversies at RTÉ. Montrose chiefs will be hoping today’s meeting is less eventful.
Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon is before the Agriculture Committee at 3:30pm.
The Committee on Infrastructure will examine the future work programme of Uisce Éireann, also from 3:30pm.
Minster for Finance Paschal Donohoe will be quizzed by the Committee on Finance from 4:30pm.
The full schedule for the Dáil, Seanad and Committees can be found here.
Sign up for Politics push alerts and have the best news, analysis and comment delivered directly to your phone
Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up for the Inside Politics newsletter to get our politics team’s take direct to your inbox.
