Irish Government excludes services from Occupied Territories Bill; opposition calls it ‘gutted’ (irishtimes.com)

• Government's Occupied Territories Bill bans goods from illegal Israeli settlements, excludes services.
• Opposition, including Sinn Féin and PBP, criticizes exclusion as 'gutting' the original legislation.
• Taoiseach Martin cites legal and economic reasons, including protection of multinational jobs.
• Bill covers approx. €200,000 in goods; IHREC calls for inclusion of services.

"The Irish Government has published its version of the Occupied Territories Bill, banning trade in goods from illegal Israeli settlements but excluding services. Opposition leaders including Sinn Féin's Mary Lou McDonald accused the government of 'gutting' the original bill. Taoiseach Micheál Martin defended the move, citing legal challenges and the need to protect multinational jobs in Ireland. The bill, formally titled Israeli Settlements (Prohibition of Importation of Goods) Bill 2026, covers approximately €200,000 in goods. The original bill by Senator Frances Black had included services. Minister for Foreign Affairs Helen McEntee expects the bill to be enacted by the Dáil summer break."