
Opposition calls for ‘vote of conscience' on Israel Bonds
The Central Bank of Ireland is the designated authority in relation to the sale of Israel Bonds in the EU.
Israel Bonds have been advertised as supporting the country's economy, and more recently, websites promoting the securities emphasise their role in supporting Israel's military operations in Gaza.
The Central Bank is responsible for assessing whether a prospectus for the offer of securities is in compliance with requirements of the EU Prospectus Regulation, with the authority saying approval should not be viewed as 'an endorsement of the issuer'.
Protesters have demonstrated outside the Central Bank and called for legislation that would give Ireland the power to refuse the sale of Israeli 'war bonds' over human rights concerns.
Last month, a Sinn Fein bill which would have imposed restrictions securities on behalf of Israel was defeated after the Government voted against the draft legislation.
On Wednesday, the Dail will vote on a motion on the matter brought by a number of opposition parties during the Social Democrats' time.
The motion says the bonds are intended to fund the war in Gaza and argues Ireland has an obligations under the Genocide Convention to use all means likely to have a deterrent effect on those suspected of preparing genocide.
Speaking to reporters on Monday, Social Democrats TD Sinead Gibney said: 'We have failed as an international community to prevent a genocide from happening so now we have to do everything in our power to make sure that we stop it.'
She added: 'We are urging the Government to allow a free vote, a vote of conscience, because we believe that this is something that many TDs will support if given the opportunity.
'And we absolutely urge the government to support this motion.'
Sinn Fein TD Sean Crowe said he believes the gap between the vote on the Sinn Fein Bill and this motion will given TDs 'time to reflect'.
We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity.
Meanwhile, Tanaiste and Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Harris called on Israel to lift a blockade on aid into Gaza.
It comes after Israeli forces stopped a Gaza-bound aid boat and detained activists on board early on Monday, enforcing a longstanding blockade of the Palestinian territory.
Mr Harris said the vessel was an 'unarmed civilian effort' to get food and medicine to the 'starving people of Gaza' in the midst of 'devastation and catastrophic humanitarian conditions'.
He added: 'The UN and humanitarian organisations must be allowed to work independently and do their job.
'It is a shame on the world and international community that people are starving in Gaza.
'The question we should be asking today is not a debate about the merits or not of the flotilla but how it has come to this; that the world is turning a blind eye to starving children in Gaza.'
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

Rhyl Journal
34 minutes ago
- Rhyl Journal
UK to legislate for UN High Seas Treaty by end of year
Marine Minister Emma Hardy said on Tuesday that the Government will introduce a bill to enable ratification of the pact to establish protected areas in international waters. The ocean treaty, which was agreed by 193 countries two years ago, will not come into force until ratification by 60 countries, but just over half of that number have done so. The UK Government is among those that have been previously criticised by environmentalists for not yet ratifying the treaty or announcing a timetable to introduce the legislation required. The Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said the treaty will provide the 'first legal mechanism for the creation of protected areas in international waters', helping to conserve marine life in parts of the ocean outside national jurisdiction – which is approximately two-thirds of the world's ocean. Ms Hardy said: 'Our oceans are dying. Without urgent action, they will be irreversibly destroyed. 'That is why the UK will introduce legislation by the end of the year to ratify the High Seas Treaty, a landmark in protecting marine life around the globe.' The announcement comes as the third UN Ocean Conference began in France on Monday. Governments, business leaders, scientists and campaigners are attending the environmental summit in Nice where the spotlight will be on the commitments individual governments make to reduce the impact on their territorial waters, such as banning the practice of bottom trawling in marine protected areas (MPAs). Bottom trawling and other forms of destructive fishing are permitted in UK waters but conservationists have long been campaigning for a full ban across all marine protected areas. Defra said the Government has proposed to ban bottom trawling in more MPAs in English waters. The department said MPAs will 'help conserve rare, valuable and important marine life of the high seas, enhancing their resilience to stressors such as unsustainable fishing and industrial activities, helping them to recover faster'. There are 181 MPAs, including three highly protected marine areas (HPMAs), covering 93,000 square kilometres or 40% of English waters. The UK also joined more than 90 countries at the conference in reiterating its commitment to agreeing a Plastic Pollution Treaty when negotiations resume in Geneva in August.


North Wales Chronicle
an hour ago
- North Wales Chronicle
Reeves to promise investment in ‘renewal' as she unveils spending plans
The Chancellor is expected to announce big increases in spending on the NHS, defence and schools as part of a spending review set to include £113 billion of investment thanks to looser borrowing rules. She will also reveal changes to the Treasury's 'green book' rules that govern which projects receive investment in an effort to boost spending outside London and the South East. Arguing that this investment is 'possible only because of the stability I have introduced' after the October budget, Ms Reeves is expected to say her spending review will 'ensure that renewal is felt in people's everyday lives, their jobs, their communities'. She will say: 'The priorities in this spending review are the priorities of working people. 'To invest in our country's security, health and economy so working people all over our country are better off.' Among the other announcements expected at the spending review is £39 billion for affordable homes over the next 10 years as the Government seeks to meet its promise of building 1.5 million homes by the next election. The Treasury said this would see annual investment in affordable housing rise to £4 billion by 2029/30, almost double the average of £2.3 billion between 2021 and 2026. A Government source said: 'We're turning the tide against the unacceptable housing crisis in this country with the biggest boost to social and affordable housing investment in a generation, delivering on our plan for change commitment to get Britain building.' The Chancellor has also already announced some £15.6 billion of spending on public transport in England's city regions, and £16.7 billion for nuclear power projects, the bulk of which will fund the new Sizewell C plant in Suffolk. But the spending review is expected to set out tough spending limits for departments other than health, defence and education. Although Ms Reeves is reported to have agreed to an above-inflation increase in the policing budget, this is thought to have come at the expense of cuts in other parts of Home Office spending. And sources close to London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan have expressed concern that the spending review will have nothing for the capital. Ahead of the spending review, the Institute for Fiscal Studies has warned that any increase in NHS funding above 2.5% is likely to mean real-terms cuts for other departments or further tax rises to come in the budget this autumn. The Chancellor has already insisted that her fiscal rules remain in place, along with Labour's manifesto commitment not to increase income tax, national insurance or VAT. She will say on Wednesday: 'I have made my choices. In place of chaos, I choose stability. In place of decline, I choose investment. In place of retreat, I choose national renewal. 'These are my choices. These are this Government's choices. These are the British people's choices.'


North Wales Chronicle
an hour ago
- North Wales Chronicle
Emergency workers to get greater protection from racial abuse in house calls
The Government said it would close an existing loophole that allows people to get away with racial and religious abuse towards police, fire and ambulance workers making house calls. The measures were tabled on Tuesday as amendments to the Government's Crime and Policing Bill. It is currently illegal to racially or religiously abuse anyone in public, but this does not extend to behaviour within a private home under the Public Order Act 1986. The gap was originally designed to ensure that laws allowing police to keep public spaces free from serious disorder did not overstep into private conversations held in homes. The Home Office said the law has left 'emergency workers vulnerable and unprotected to racial and religious-based abuse and harassment during house calls', and 'unable to hold the perpetrators to account for their behaviour'. The department added that 'reports of emergency workers being abused for their race or religion while in private homes have increased'. Under the change, those abusing emergency workers in any setting could face a maximum sentence of two years' imprisonment. Policing minister Dame Diana Johnson said emergency workers 'should never have to tolerate abuse due to their race or religion while simply doing their job'. Dame Diana added: 'By closing this loophole, we're sending a clear message that racial and religious abuse directed towards those who serve our communities will not be tolerated.' Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting said the new measures would 'crack down on perpetrators'. Mr Streeting added: 'Our emergency workers carry out lifesaving work every day and deserve to feel safe from violence or intimidation. 'Anyone who violates this core principle brings shame on themselves and will feel the full force of the law, wherever they are.' Andy Rhodes, director of the National Police Wellbeing Service, said the amendment would 'better protect officers and staff who are there to protect the public'. Mr Rhodes added: 'Sadly, the role they play means they can often be faced with some incredibly challenging and hostile situations, especially in private homes, and over time this can take a toll. 'The protection of our officers and staff is a clear priority for all police chiefs. Hate crime has a devastating impact on individual victims and racial and faith-based discrimination against officers or emergency workers cannot be tolerated in any form.' Minister for Fire Alex Norris said the Government 'stands firmly behind emergency service workers and will not tolerate abusive behaviour towards those risking their lives to keep us safe'.