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RTÉ News
3 days ago
- Business
- RTÉ News
Growing political pressure for firm Govt action on Gaza
All day Wednesday and late into the evening on the street facing Leinster House, demonstrators sang a stinging song urging politicians to find their "backbone" and to enact the Occupied Territories Bill. The same sentiment echoed through the Dáil chamber. Some within the Government bristled over what they believe is a shocking failure to take into account its outspoken voice on Gaza. Words that have been matched by deeds, including €87 million in funding for people in Palestine since 2023, recognising the State of Palestine, supporting South Africa's case against Israel at the International Court of Justice, and leading the way in requesting a review of the EU-Israel Association Agreement. The Taoiseach even claimed there is a battle under way domestically for moral superiority on what has become one of the most emotive issues in Irish politics. The language denouncing Israel's actions has become sharper too with both Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Tánaiste Simon Harris repeatedly using the word genocide this week. All remaining ambiguity and lingering diplomatic niceties have now been cast aside. The Taoiseach believes the single more effective next step is to try to persuade the EU and the US to "pull their support for the State of Israel". But it is the requirement for further direct interventions by this State rather than words alone which is fueling immense political tension. A significant political act was about to unfold It was evident as the bells were clanging around Leinster House just after 6pm on Wednesday when the weekly votes were called. A significant political act was about to unfold before the business concluded. Reporters watched from the Dáil gallery as Dublin Bay-North TD Barry Heneghan took his seat to vote on a Sinn Féin Bill. It was a piece of legislation that would prevent the Central Bank from retaining its technical role in approving the prospectus which allows Israel sell bonds in the EU. Israel has made it clear that these bonds are used to fund its war in Gaza. Sinn Féin's legal advice stated that a Member State is entitled as a matter of EU law to unilaterally restrict access to its financial services. It can do so on public policy grounds that are rooted in Ireland's fundamental interest in pursuing its international law obligations, the legal opinion concluded. The Government argued that the Bill did not provide a legal mechanism to allow the Central Bank of Ireland set aside its obligations under the EU Prospectus Regulation. It argued this was an EU competence, and the Central Bank can only refuse the approval of a prospectus where it has a legal basis to do so. The advice circulated to ministers added that it is legally required to issue prospectuses that are complete, legally sound, and comprehensible. For Barry Heneghan, who had supported the Government in every vote up to this point, this was a matter of conscience, and he believed Ireland shouldn't facilitate the sale of bonds that help fund the devastation in Gaza. He left Leinster House around 9pm on Wednesday, long after the bells had ceased ringing, certain in the knowledge that he had made the right decision. Generally, there was little political alarm triggered by his vote within Government. Some whispered that "Barry can be difficult to manage", and that it was simply a "flexing of muscles". But it did unquestionably show that those Independents, who occupy a liminal position within the Coalition, are perhaps a more fragile bloc of votes than first suspected. This was further illustrated by the actions of Meath-East TD Gillian Toole. Before 9pm she was on a bus back home to Ratoath having also voted against the Government on the Bill. Regarded as a deep-thinker and a conscientious politician, Gillian Toole cited the lack of detailed briefings from the Government as an influence on her decision. The two TDs are still aligned to the Coalition, their jump overboard is a temporary one, and the Government's majority is not shattered. 'Call out the narrative for what it is' It is emblematic though of the growing pressure on the Government to accompany its increasingly strident rhetoric on Gaza with firm actions. The acerbic exchange between the Tánaiste and Independent TD Catherine Connolly in the Dáil on Thursday morning typified the fractiousness which has built around this issue. The Galway West TD made an impassioned call on Government to do more, saying: "It's time we led. Call out the narrative for what it is. Israel is a rogue state; it is not a democratic state. Stand up, stand up and account for what you're going to do." In a charged atmosphere, Simon Harris accused her of expressing "vitriol and dislike for Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil" and of refusing to acknowledge the major steps taken by the Government. It all suggests that the Government will now be pursued relentlessly by protesters, the Opposition, and perhaps by some Independent TDs supporting the Coalition, to pass the Occupied Territories Bill quickly. The Foreign Affairs Committee, chaired by Fianna Fáil TD John Lahart, has already singalled that it will sit throughout June to progress this legislation swiftly. The speed of its passage through the Oireachtas after this committee work has concluded will be the measure of the Government's strong words on Gaza this week.
Irish Daily Mirror
5 days ago
- Politics
- Irish Daily Mirror
Taoiseach accuses Israel of genocide in Gaza as protest held at Dail
Taoiseach Micheál Martin has issued his strongest condemnation of Israel yet as he accused it of committing 'genocide' in Gaza. He had previously resisted going this far, referring to what Israel was committing as 'genocidal actions'. Speaking in Croke Park on Wednesday, the Taoiseach once again called for a ceasefire, the release of hostages and aid to enter Gaza. Mr Martin said: 'The Irish government has been particularly proactive in relation to the war in Gaza, a war that is a genocide at this stage, in particular, in terms of the attack on entire families. 'We've witnessed that recently with a family of nine children being massacred. It's a slaughter that must stop. 'Now, our view, and we have supported UNRWA [United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees] repeatedly and called for a ceasefire, the release of all hostages and a surge of humanitarian aid into Gaza. 'But, in addition to that, we believe what now would have the greatest impact would be if the European Union could collectively agree to suspend the EU-Israel Association Agreement, which relates to the economic relationship between Israel and the European Union. 'That would be challenging, but that would have real impact on the Israeli government.' Mr Martin also referred to Israel's actions in Gaza as a genocide in the Dáil. In response to Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald, the Taoiseach stated the Government is 'hoping that we will broaden the criteria by which genocide is judged by the Genocide Convention'. During Leader's Questions, the Government was accused of a 'water-weak' position on why it is opposing legislation that aims to give Ireland the power to refuse its role in the sale of 'Israeli war bonds'. Mr Martin accused Sinn Féin of trying to 'drive a wedge' between the Irish public and the Government. The Central Bank of Ireland is the designated authority for the sale of Israel bonds in the EU. Israeli bonds have been advertised as supporting the country's economy, and more recently, websites promoting the bonds emphasise their role in supporting Israel's military operation in Gaza. The Central Bank is responsible for assessing whether a prospectus for the offer of securities is in compliance with the requirements of the EU Prospectus Regulation. The Government opposed the legislation as advice from the Attorney General suggests that key provisions may be unworkable and may conflict with EU Treaties and our obligations as a Member State. When the legislation was being debated on Tuesday evening, the Dáil had to be postponed as pro-Palestinian protestors started chanting and holding up banners from the Dáil public gallery. A large protest took place outside Leinster House throughout Wednesday, calling for the Occupied Territories Bill to be passed before the summer and for it to include services. During a debate on a Labour motion on Wednesday morning, Tánaiste Simon Harris said he is open to a conversation about including services. He said: 'I do not have a policy difference with people who want to include services. I want to make sure that the law does not fall at the first legal hurdle. 'I am happy to be challenged and to be proven wrong at the Oireachtas foreign affairs committee about this issue.'
Belfast Telegraph
6 days ago
- Business
- Belfast Telegraph
Government accused of ‘water-weak' opposition to Israeli war bonds Bill
Sinn Fein's Restrictive Financial Measures (State of Israel) Bill 2025 is due to be voted on on Wednesday evening. The Government is to oppose the legislation and has described it as 'unworkable', with Taoiseach Micheal Martin accusing Sinn Fein of trying to 'drive a wedge' between the Irish public and Government. 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 bonds emphasise their role in supporting Israel's military operation 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. Dublin's Central Bank said 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. In the Dail on Wednesday, Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald said Irish people may be 'horrified' to learn of the Central Bank's role in approving the bonds. She said these are used to raise money to pay for missiles, tanks, guns and drones that have killed tens of thousands of men, women and children in Gaza. 'Israel doesn't hide the purpose of these bonds,' she said. 'They emphasise 'the crucial role of Israel bonds during a time of conflict and war'. 'Israel openly invites people to invest in genocide.' She said a Sinn Fein Bill would enable the Minister for Finance to prevent the Central Bank from giving the permissions and approvals to sell the bonds and force them to seek permission from another country. She accused Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe of giving 'water-weak, mealy-mouthed and baseless excuses' for opposing the legislation. This includes that the Bill may be inconsistent with EU law and 'alarm' raised by Mr Donohoe that Ireland would be 'acting unilaterally' in prohibiting the Central Bank from giving permissions. She said as Ireland's Central Bank is the only bank giving approval for EU sale, it must by definition act unilaterally. 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. Please review your details and accept them to load the content The Taoiseach accused Sinn Fein of trying to drive a wedge between the Government and the Irish public over what is happening in Gaza. He said: 'The Government has been demonstrating its leadership on human rights for quite some time, since this war began, very consistently, very strongly. 'We have been very consistent in our support of the Palestinian people and their right to self-determination, and in condemning the war crimes and the genocide that is occurring right now.' He said on this day last year, Ireland, Spain and Norway recognised the state of Palestine. 'There's a pattern, and the pattern is to try and drive a wedge between the Government here and the people of Ireland in respect of what Israel is doing in Gaza and trying to undermine the integrity and the commitment and good faith of the Government,' he said. 'So you bandy words around like 'facilitating and complicit in genocide, which are a false narrative.' Ms McDonald replied: 'You're right on one score, I have a very, very long and established pattern of harassing and haranguing successive Irish taoisigh and governments on their inaction on Palestine. 'The Central Bank approves the prospectus, which enables the sale of these war bonds. We want that to stop. It's as simple as that. 'Our legislation enables the Government, through the Minister for Finance, to put a stop to that. 'The Irish Central Bank, the Irish State should have no hand, act or part, however minor, in facilitating the sale of those bonds. That's what we want. 'I think it's very telling that at a time when a genocide has played out, live before the eyes of the world, the priority for the Taoiseach is a pat on the back for him and his Government. Shame on you. Act.' Mr Martin replied: 'No-one in this House should be looking for a pat on the back and no-one in this House should be seeking some sort of moral superiority over others.'
Yahoo
05-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
GH Research Announces Pricing of $150 Million Public Offering
DUBLIN, Feb. 05, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- GH Research PLC (Nasdaq: GHRS), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to transforming the lives of patients by developing a practice-changing treatment in depression, today announced the pricing of its previously announced underwritten public offering in the United States of 10,000,000 ordinary shares at a public offering price of $15.00 per share for total gross proceeds of approximately $150 million. All of the ordinary shares are being offered by GH Research PLC. The offering is expected to close on February 6, 2025, subject to customary closing conditions. In addition, GH Research PLC has granted the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 1,500,000 ordinary shares at the public offering price, less underwriting discounts and commissions. Cantor, Stifel and RBC Capital Markets are acting as joint book-running managers for the offering. Canaccord Genuity and Citizens JMP are acting as co-lead managers for the offering. A registration statement relating to these securities was filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") and declared effective on March 17, 2023. Copies of the registration statement can be accessed through the SEC's website free of charge at A preliminary prospectus supplement and an accompanying prospectus relating to and describing the terms of the offering were filed with the SEC and are available free of charge by visiting EDGAR on the SEC's website free of charge at When available, copies of the final prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus related to the offering can be accessed through the SEC's website free of charge at or obtained free of charge from any of the joint book-running managers for the offering: Cantor Fitzgerald & Co., Attention: Capital Markets, 110 East 59th Street, 6th Floor, New York, New York 10022, or by email at prospectus@ Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated, Attention: Syndicate, One Montgomery Street, Suite 3700, San Francisco, California 94104, by telephone at (415) 364-2720, or by email at syndprospectus@ or RBC Capital Markets, LLC, Attention: Equity Capital Markets, 200 Vesey Street, New York, New York 10281, by telephone at 877-822-4089 or by email at equityprospectus@ For the avoidance of doubt, any such prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus will not constitute a 'prospectus' for the purposes of the Irish Companies Act 2014 (as amended), the EU Prospectus Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 (as amended) (the 'Prospectus Regulation'), the European Union (Prospectus) Regulations 2019 of Ireland (as amended) or the Central Bank (Investment Market Conduct) Rules 2019 of Ireland and will not have been reviewed by Central Bank of Ireland, as competent authority, or any competent authority in any European Economic Area (the "EEA") member state or the United Kingdom. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities, and shall not constitute an offer, solicitation or sale in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of that jurisdiction. In any member state of the EEA this announcement and any offering are only addressed to and directed at persons who are "qualified investors" ("Qualified Investors") within the meaning of the Prospectus Regulation. In the United Kingdom, this announcement and any offering are only addressed to and directed at Qualified Investors (i) who have professional experience in matters relating to investments falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, as amended (the "Order"), or (ii) who fall within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order, and (iii) to whom it may otherwise lawfully be communicated (all such persons being referred to as "relevant persons"). This announcement must not be acted on or relied on (i) in the United Kingdom, by persons who are not relevant persons, and (ii) in any member state of the EEA, by persons who are not Qualified Investors. Any investment or investment activity to which this announcement relates is available only to and will only be engaged with (i) in the United Kingdom, relevant persons, and (ii) in any member state of the EEA, Qualified Investors. About GH Research PLC GH Research PLC is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to transforming the lives of patients by developing a practice-changing treatment in depression. GH Research PLC's initial focus is on developing its novel and proprietary mebufotenin therapies for the treatment of patients with treatment-resistant depression (TRD). Forward-Looking StatementsThis press release contains certain forward-looking statements, including statements with regard to GH Research PLC's expectations regarding the completion of the proposed securities offering. Words such as 'anticipates,' 'believes,' 'expects,' 'intends,' 'projects,' 'anticipates,' and 'future' or similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to the inherent uncertainties in predicting future results and conditions and no assurance can be given that the proposed securities offering discussed above will be consummated on the terms described or at all. Completion of the proposed offering and the terms thereof are subject to numerous factors, many of which are beyond the control of GH Research PLC, including, without limitation, market conditions, failure of customary closing conditions and the risk factors and other matters set forth in GH Research PLC's filings with the SEC. GH Research PLC undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by law. Investor RelationsJulie RyanGH Research PLCinvestors@ in to access your portfolio
