Latest news with #CustomsAct2015
The Journal
2 hours ago
- Business
- The Journal
Ban on Irish imports from Israeli settlements in Palestine to go for Cabinet approval
LEGISLATION TO BAN imports from Israeli settlements in Occupied Palestinian Territory is due to come before Cabinet this morning to be approved by Government ministers. Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Harris will present the proposed legislation, known officially as the Israeli Settlements Prohibition of Importation of Goods Bill 2025. It comes years after similar proposed legislation – the Control of Economic Activity (Occupied Territories) Bill – was introduced in 2018 but never enacted. The proposed legislation would ban trade of goods with the Occupied Palestinian Territory by making any import from the OPT an offence under the Customs Act 2015. It will mean that customs officers' powers of entry, inspection, search, arrest, seizure, and forfeiture of goods that exist under the Customs Act will apply to the import of goods from Israeli settlements in the OPT. Advertisement Harris has said that he is open to the bill including the provision of services as well as goods and that he has asked the Attorney General to advise on whether this is legally possible. Pro-Palestine activists have campaigned for years for the government to enact legislation banning trade with Israeli settlements – calls that have heightened in the last two years while Israel has relentlessly bombarded Gaza. Senator Frances Black, who tabled the Occupied Territories Bill in 2018, said last month that the government's decision to enact a ban on illegal Israeli settlements was 'a really important and welcome step, but our work is not done yet'. 'The onus is now on Government to act with the urgency this moment demands – to stand firmly against the horrific war crimes being committed both in Gaza and the West Bank,' Black said. 'We need to see a full ban on all trade with the illegal Israeli settlements, which includes both physical goods like fruit and veg, but also intangible services like tech and IT. 'That is the standard set in the original Occupied Territories Bill which I tabled, and it's what the International Court of Justice has said is required. The Tánaiste has committed to working on this when the Bill goes into the Dáil Foreign Affairs Committee in June, and I am certain that we can get the legal detail right if the political will is there.' Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Irish Daily Mirror
6 hours ago
- Business
- Irish Daily Mirror
New plans to favour twin bedrooms and shared bathrooms in student accommodation
New national design standards for student accommodation will see twin bedrooms and shared bathrooms favoured over 'individual ensuite units'. Higher Education Minister James Lawless will bring the Design Guide for State-Supported Student Accommodation for 'formal noting' to Cabinet on Tuesday morning that will introduce new 'national design standards' for new student accommodation. They were developed following a 2023 Residential Construction Cost Study. It is understood that the new model will include 'greater use of shared facilities'. This will include twin rooms, communal kitchens and shared bathrooms, replacing the 'current reliance on individual ensuite units.' Sources stated on Monday evening that the plan was devised following extensive stakeholder input from students, providers, planners and experts and 'aims to balance quality, affordability, and delivery at scale'. They stated that it will 'support higher bed capacity, faster delivery, and procurement savings' and 'encourage a more sociable, integrated student experience'. There will be collaboration with the Department of Housing to integrate Section 28 planning guidelines. Public Expenditure Minister Jack Chambers, meanwhile, will warn Cabinet ministers of their responsibility to ensure value for money is prioritised in how they spend public funds. A memo to be brought to Cabinet will set out the responsibilities of individual ministers to ensure value for money, as well as the legislation that underpins decision-making. A full and comprehensive review of the Public Financial Procedures, the set of rules around which set out accountability for public expenditure across the civil and public service, is also underway. Minister Chambers will remind ministers that value for money is about securing efficiency and effectiveness in the use of public resources to deliver enhanced public services, living standards and infrastructure for the country. Elsewhere, Tánaiste Simon Harris will bring the heads of the 'Israeli Settlements Prohibition of Importation of Goods Bill 2025' to Cabinet. The proposed legislation would ban trade with the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT) by rendering any import from the OPT an offence under the Customs Act 2015. The provisions of the Customs Act 2015 – including powers of entry, inspection, search, arrest, seizure and forfeiture of goods – will apply to the importation of goods from Israeli settlements in the OPT. The Tánaiste has said that he is open to considering the inclusion of services, as proposed in Senator Frances Black's Occupied Territories Bill. If approved by Cabinet, Mr Harris' Bill will be sent to the Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade for pre-legislative scrutiny. The Tánaiste has said that legal clarity is needed on whether or not it is possible to include services and that he has asked the Attorney General to advise on this. Separately, the Tánaiste will also ask ministers to approve the continuation of up to 13 members of the Defence Forces participating in the UN-authorised NATO-led International Security Presence in Kosovo (KFOR) for a further 12 months. Ireland has participated in KFOR since August 1999. Taoiseach Micheál Martin, meanwhile, will seek approval for a 10-year roadmap to enact the Dublin City Taskforce's recommendations. The Taoiseach will seek approval to set up a 'Special Purpose Vehicle' under Dublin City Council to drive the implementation of this roadmap. While that is being set up, a Project Management Office will be established by the council to commence this work urgently. A detailed Integrated Area Strategy for Dublin City Centre will leverage public funding and private investment to regenerate key sites and tackle vacancy and dereliction. The GPO complex will be revamped as an 'ambitious' flagship project, with cultural, retail and office elements, funded under the National Development Plan (NDP). The Taoiseach will also update Cabinet on the progress report of the Implementation Group on Conveyancing and Probate. This group is tasked with cutting the time it takes for people to legally sell and buy property, and for the probate process after someone dies. He will advise that the Implementation Group's work will continue for another six months, based on progressing the recommendations and projects identified. Health Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill will bring the Patient Safety (Licensing) Bill 2025 to Cabinet. Sources stated that a licensing system will drive greater patient safety protection and monitoring of standards by providing a legislative basis for the oversight and governance of care. It will apply modern regulatory methods and risk-based approaches to the hospital sector and will provide for standardised care. Elsewhere, Energy Minister Darragh O'Brien will update Cabinet on an SEAI report on retrofitting. It will state that the Government has invested €1.2 billion in SEAI-supported energy upgrades across 186,000 homes and 156 community energy projects. In 2024, almost 54,000 property upgrades (up 13% year on year) were completed, while over 21,800 BER B2 upgrades (up 24% year on year) were completed.
Irish Examiner
10 hours ago
- Business
- Irish Examiner
Trump urges ‘peace and harmony' as Iran hits US base in Qatar
Donald Trump has urged Iran to 'proceed to peace and harmony' after it fired missiles at a US base in Qatar in retaliation for America bombing its nuclear sites. Qatar's defence ministry said Iran launched seven missiles at the Al Udeid US airbase, with another 12 in a second wave, 11 of which were thwarted. Its interior ministry said some debris fell in residential areas, but no casualties were recorded. The US president thanked Iran for giving America notice prior to the missile attack which, he said, made it possible for no lives — both Qatari and American — to be lost. No casualties were recorded after the Iranian missile attack on Al Udeid air base in Qatar. File picture 'Perhaps Iran can now proceed to peace and harmony in the region, and I will enthusiastically encourage Israel to do the same,' he said in a social media post. In a later post, he added: 'Congratulations world, it's time for peace.' Iran had issued threats to retaliate against the US after bombers dropped 30,000lb bunker-busters on Iranian underground nuclear facilities at the weekend, joining Israel's air war against Tehran. Mr Trump mooted the possibility of the Iranian government being toppled. Iran, which had been warned by Washington not to retaliate had informed the US via two diplomatic channels hours ahead of the attack, as well as Qatari authorities, a senior regional source told Reuters. A number of gulf nations closed their air space for a time following the attack on Qatar but they opened again a number of hours later. New law based on Occupied Territories Bill Meanwhile, Tánaiste Simon Harris will bring the heads of what will be known as the Israeli Settlements Prohibition of Importation of Goods Bill 2025 to Cabinet on Tuesday. The Government legislation is based on a similar Occupied Territories Bill, but it will only include a ban on the trade of goods and not services. The Tánaiste said legal clarity is needed on whether or not it is possible to include services and that he has asked the attorney general to advise on this, however he does not want to see the bill delayed. He said: We will bring draft legislation because we are not waiting in Ireland, we are not waiting, the children of Gaza have waited far too long. Mr Harris was speaking while attending a meeting of foreign ministers in Brussels where the EU's trade agreement with Israel was discussed. The proposed legislation will make any import from the Occupied Palestinian Territory an offence under the Customs Act 2015, the main legislation dealing with all customs offences. The provisions of the Customs Act 2015 with respect to matters including powers of entry, inspection, search, arrest, seizure, and forfeiture of goods will apply to the importation of goods from Israeli settlements in the OPT. In practical terms therefore, the provisions of the bill will be enforced by customs officers. While foreign ministers did not on take action following the review of the EU-Israel Association Agreement, the matter will again be discussed when the Taoiseach attends an EU Council later this week. Micheál Martin said: 'There should be consequences in the context of the Israeli European Union Association Agreement and we will certainly be working with other like-minded countries at the European Union to seek movement on that.'
