'Deeply disappointing' Occupied Territories Bill not ed, says Sinn Féin MEP

Michael Bolton

A Sinn Féin MEP has accused the Government parties of being dishonest in the lead-up to the last general election regarding the Occupied Territories Bill.

Dublin MEP Lynn Boylan made the comments as the legislation continues to be delayed by the Government.

The original Occupied Territories Bill, first introduced by Senator s Black in 2018, proposed banning trade from all occupied territories worldwide. However, it was widely expected that the legislation would be amended to specifically target Israeli-occupied territories.

In January, then-Taoiseach Micheál Martin suggested the bill would be replaced by fresh legislation, stating that a full debate in the Dáil was now necessary.

Speaking to BreakingNews.ie, Boylan expressed frustration at the continued inaction.

She said it was deeply disappointing that the last Programme for Government included a commitment to enact the Occupied Territories Bill, yet nothing was done. She also noted that ahead of the last general election, Government parties claimed they had run out of time to it but assured voters they were committed to doing so in this istration. Now, she said, it was no longer a priority.

She accused Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil of making a cynical election promise with no intention of following through on it.

Boylan also criticised the Government for being proud of how it is perceived internationally in relation to Palestine while continuing to delay meaningful action.

Earlier this week, Micheál Martin acknowledged that the Occupied Territories Bill will not be ready before summer, citing drafting requirements. Some TDs fear the legislation could be further delayed until autumn.

Boylan accused the Government of failing to take concrete action, despite its claims of leadership on Palestine.

She said the Irish Government likes to portray itself as a world leader in its stance on Palestine, but in reality, all they have done is issue statements. While recognising the State of Palestine was welcome, she said it was long overdue and merely fulfilling a long-standing promise.

She argued that the Palestinian people want real leadership and concrete action, particularly in of holding Israel able. No state, she said, should be able to act as Israel has over the past 15 months—ignoring international law, committing war crimes, and undermining the ICJ, the ICC, and the UN without facing consequences.

Boylan called on Ireland to take a leadership role in Europe on the issue, arguing that it could encourage other European nations to follow suit.

She said there is no consensus at a European level, which she described as unfortunate. She criticised the European Commission for failing to respond to Donald Trump’s statement on Gaza, in which he appeared to endorse ethnic cleansing.

She argued that, while consensus at an EU level is unlikely, Ireland could align itself with countries in the Global South, such as South Africa, to uphold international law. She added that Ireland has taken on leadership roles in the past and said it was disappointing that the Government is not prepared to do so now.

Boylan said she was convinced that if Ireland ed the Occupied Territories Bill, other European countries would follow in its footsteps.