Latest news with #GovernmentBill
North Wales Chronicle
27-05-2025
- Business
- North Wales Chronicle
Irish Government to draft Bill to ban trade with illegal Israeli settlements
Ireland's deputy premier and foreign affairs minister Simon Harris received Cabinet approval to draft the law on Tuesday. It is understood the Government Bill will ban the trade of goods but not services as the basis in EU law is much weaker for services than it is for goods. The Government has opted for fresh legislation instead of progressing the Occupied Territories Bill, first tabled in 2018. The Government has said there is 'a narrow pathway', based on an advisory opinion from the UN's top court, to ban trade with illegal Israeli settlements. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) said last July that countries should 'take steps to prevent trade or investment relations' that maintain Israeli settlements on Palestinian land, which it deemed illegal. Mr Harris said that the Government had 'not yet been able to identify the narrow pathway on services' but that there is a legal 'pathway' to ban the trade of goods. He said he believed Ireland would become the first country in the western world to consider such legislation and said he hoped it would encourage other countries to do likewise. Speaking on RTE's Six One News, Mr Harris claimed there was 'no policy difference' between himself and Senator Frances Black, who had brought forward a Bill that would also include services. He said: 'I want to do everything humanly possible to help maximise the pressure for a ceasefire and an end to the violence and the war crimes that are happening in Gaza. 'But what I also want to make sure is that the Bill doesn't fall at the first legal hurdle and I want to produce legislation that's impactful, that could inspire other European nations to join us as well in bringing forward similar legislation. 'And at the moment, the legal opinion that I have is that it's impossible to do goods under EU law because of the ICJ judgments, but it may not be in relation to services.' However, the Tanaiste said he 'would like to be proven wrong' if there is a pathway on services. Irish premier Micheal Martin told the Dail parliament that there is 'very little' trade between Ireland and the occupied territories but said the ban was an important symbolic move. He was responding to questions from Social Democrats TD Sinead Gibney who said that the Dail was 'running out of time' to pass the goods ban before the summer recess. 'Just for the record, there is no major trade between Ireland and the occupied territories, there is very little actually,' Taoiseach Micheal Martin said on Tuesday. He added: 'But that's not the point, the point is it is a symbolic move and that is important in itself.' In relation to Sinn Fein's Bill that aims to give Ireland's Finance Minister the powers to impose restrictive measures on securities issued by or on behalf of Israel, the Government said the proposals were 'unworkable'. Mr Martin said the legislation proposed by Sinn Fein was 'simply unworkable' and 'has been written in a manner that in no shape or form could ever be made workable'. He said it does not focus on Israel 'at all' and said the review of the EU-Israel Association could have a 'far greater influence'. A Government spokesperson said the proposed Sinn Fein Bill was asking for an activity that does not take place in Ireland – Israeli bonds are not listed on the Irish Stock Exchange nor are they available to purchase through any regulated entity in the State – to end. The spokesperson said that the Bill does not prevent securities or bonds from the Israeli state being issued nor does it prevent Israel from raising money by selling bonds.
Irish Times
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Irish Times
Cabinet to be updated on plans to bring RTÉ under closer scrutiny
The Cabinet will be updated on Tuesday regarding plans to bring RTÉ under closer scrutiny as the Government prepares to shut down alternative Sinn Féin legislation on the matter. Minister for Media Patrick O'Donovan is expected to tell Cabinet colleagues that his plan goes further than the Sinn Féin alternative, which has been initiated as a Private Members' Bill by its media spokesman, Aengus Ó Snodaigh . The Sinn Féin Bill would assign the Comptroller & Auditor General (C&AG) as auditor of RTÉ and is due for second stage debate later this week. Mr O'Donovan says the C&AG will also be installed as auditor of RTÉ by the Government Bill and that the policy objective contained in the Sinn Féin proposal is already being addressed through draft laws produced by his department and which have been sent for pre-legislative scrutiny. READ MORE The Limerick county TD claims there are two substantive differences, arguing that the Sinn Féin Bill doesn't provide for the director general of RTÉ to be accountable to the Public Accounts Committee when it comes to the broadcaster's financial statements or value-for-money matters. It also doesn't allow the RTÉ board the discretion to appoint a regulated private sector auditor in addition to the C&AG, Mr O'Donovan says. Elsewhere, Minister for Education Helen McEntee will tell Cabinet that she plans to publish a new Deis plan later this year, addressing educational disadvantage across schools. She will update Ministers on the Deis-plus plan, which will target schools with the highest level of educational disadvantage, with plans to establish a new advisory group populated by representatives who work with children from areas of high intergenerational disadvantage. 'The people who voted no are expected to go under a rock and disappear' – Ronán Mullen on losing the marriage referendum Listen | 35:17 Minister for Further and Higher Education James Lawless will update colleagues on progress with Path (Programme for Access to Higher Education) schemes aimed at widening access to third-level education. There are 173 students with intellectual disabilities enrolled in 11 universities and other higher education institutions. There are also now almost 15 per cent of new entrants to third level who have a disability and are being supported through a national access plan, new figures show. Minister for Enterprise Peter Burke will update Cabinet on the establishment of a small business unit within his department. The intention is that the unit safeguard the needs and issues of small business across Government with an emphasis placed on them in the department. Mr Burke had asked officials to prioritise the work of setting up the unit early in the lifetime of the new Government and it has now been established. It will focus initially on the Coalition's new 'SME test', designed to check the impact of legislation and regulation on smaller firms, the work of the National Enterprise Hub and Local Enterprise Offices, and wider work on simplification and burden reduction. Minister for Social Protection Dara Calleary is to update Cabinet on recruitment for the 'My Future Fund' organisation, which will manage the auto-enrolment scheme due to go live next year. The recruitment of a board, chief executive and accountant for the body is under way, with the head of the organisation expected to earn in the region of €214,000 annually. He will also bring an update on the procurement competition to source investment management providers for the scheme.
Business Recorder
03-05-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
NA panel urges PM to reconsider PWD closure
ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly Standing Committee on Housing and Works has unanimously urged Prime Minister Mohammad Shehbaz Sharif to reconsider closure of Pakistan Public Works Department (PWD). Committee decided that a formal letter would be sent from the Secretariat of the Chairman, Standing Committee on Housing and Works of the National Assembly, to the Office of the Prime Minister, requesting reconsideration of the decision to shut down the Pak-PWD, due to its potential negative implications for public service delivery and the employment of thousands of workers. The Standing Committee of the National Assembly on Housing and Works met in Parliament House on Friday, under the Chairmanship of Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri. The Committee took serious notice of the Ministry's lack of seriousness and its failure to provide the required briefing to the Committee on time. During the meeting, the Committee discussed several important matters related to housing, infrastructure, and employment. It discussed calling attention notice No 71, which focused on the closure of Pak-PWD and its implications, particularly the unemployment of nearly 25,000 individuals. The notice was moved by Aseefa Bhutto Zardari and other MNAs. Housing Committee expressed concern over the negative impact on the workforce, emphasising the need for immediate steps to address the issue. The Pakistan Infrastructure Development and Assets Management Authority Bill, 2024 (Government Bill) also came under discussion. The committee decided to defer consideration of the bill until detailed reasons and justifications are provided regarding the proposed closure of the Pakistan Public Works Department (Pak-PWD), along with a clear explanation of the status and future of Pak-PWD employees. The committee expressed grave concern over the non-submission of the compliance report and the presentation of inconclusive information. It emphasised the need for improved coordination and timely communication from the ministry in future proceedings and directed that complete, accurate, and verified data must be submitted in upcoming meetings to ensure transparency, uphold accountability, and enable effective parliamentary oversight. The committee constituted a Sub-Committee under the convenorship of Anjum Aqeel Khan, MNA, to examine and address issues related to the allotment of plots to journalists, as well as, pending payments against land acquisition, built-up property, and other matters pertaining to housing projects undertaken by the FGEHA. The sub-committee includes Seema Mohiuddin Jamili, Muhammad Shabir Ali Qureshi, and Mir Amir Ali Khan Magsi, as its members. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
The Independent
11-02-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Stormont backs GB Energy Bill despite concern over ‘lack of detail'
The Northern Ireland Assembly has endorsed the extension of the Great British Energy Bill to the region despite some MLAs expressing concern over a 'lack of detail' around how it will work. The Government Bill is designed to establish a state-owned limited firm called Great British Energy backed with £8.3 billion of public cash. It is to be tasked with investing in and developing clean energy projects across the UK as part of the drive to tackle climate change and meet the UK's net zero emissions target. However, Stormont Opposition leader Matthew O'Toole voiced concern at a lack of detail around how it will operate in Northern Ireland, pointing out complicating factors including the single electricity grid operating across the island of Ireland. Stormont Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald said the Stormont Executive had agreed that she should seek a Legislative Consent Motion (LCM) for the Bill in the Assembly. 'Early indications are that GB Energy has the potential to support transition to net zero, however I will scrutinise all proposals closely to ensure our devolved powers are properly represented and respected,' she told MLAs. Economy Committee chair Philip Brett said the committee was unable to agree a final view on the LCM 'in the absence of clarity coming from Whitehall'. Mr Brett also said that speaking as the DUP's Economy spokesperson, he could confirm his party is 'very happy to support the LCM', describing potential for local renewable energy projects to tap into funding. Opposition leader Matthew O'Toole said he did not intend to force a division but wanted to put on the record his concern around a lack of information around how the firm will operate in Northern Ireland. He said the Opposition welcomed the principle of a state owned energy company, but emphasised the absence of detail. 'We're having a debate here today in the absence of real detailed information about how GB Energy is going to select, prioritise and direct investments in Northern Ireland,' he said. 'We also have a situation where Northern Ireland is part of an all-island single electricity market. We also are bound by aspects of European law in relation to that – that's for a very good reason, because it enables us to keep the lights on because we have a single grid operating on this island. 'None of that is necessarily a deterrent for GB Energy operating in Northern Ireland … but I am drawing attention to the unique regulatory and investment position that Northern Ireland is in.' Alliance MLA David Honeyford voiced support for the LCM, but also expressed concern at a lack of detail, while UUP MLA Steve Aiken said his party will also support it. People Before Profit MLA Gerry Carroll said had concerns about the Bill, as well as the fact that MLAs had indicated they would back the LCM despite complaining of a lack of information. 'There are serious questions about whether this LCM should be supported at all,' he said. Responding to some of the comments raised during the debate, Ms Archibald said even if the LCM is not approved by the Assembly, GB Energy will still operate in Northern Ireland, but Stormont will have no ability to engage. 'It would be bad form if they (UK Government) ploughed on regardless, but if the LCM isn't passed it does not preclude GB Energy as a company from operating here in the North, and we would have absolutely no ability to shape what is being developed or taken forward,' she said. 'So the approval of today's motion enables us to remain engaged as work on GB Energy progresses.' The LCM was passed by the Assembly.
Yahoo
11-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Stormont backs GB Energy Bill despite concern over ‘lack of detail'
The Northern Ireland Assembly has endorsed the extension of the Great British Energy Bill to the region despite some MLAs expressing concern over a 'lack of detail' around how it will work. The Government Bill is designed to establish a state-owned limited firm called Great British Energy backed with £8.3 billion of public cash. It is to be tasked with investing in and developing clean energy projects across the UK as part of the drive to tackle climate change and meet the UK's net zero emissions target. However, Stormont Opposition leader Matthew O'Toole voiced concern at a lack of detail around how it will operate in Northern Ireland, pointing out complicating factors including the single electricity grid operating across the island of Ireland. Stormont Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald said the Stormont Executive had agreed that she should seek a Legislative Consent Motion (LCM) for the Bill in the Assembly. 'Early indications are that GB Energy has the potential to support transition to net zero, however I will scrutinise all proposals closely to ensure our devolved powers are properly represented and respected,' she told MLAs. Economy Committee chair Philip Brett said the committee was unable to agree a final view on the LCM 'in the absence of clarity coming from Whitehall'. Mr Brett also said that speaking as the DUP's Economy spokesperson, he could confirm his party is 'very happy to support the LCM', describing potential for local renewable energy projects to tap into funding. Opposition leader Matthew O'Toole said he did not intend to force a division but wanted to put on the record his concern around a lack of information around how the firm will operate in Northern Ireland. He said the Opposition welcomed the principle of a state owned energy company, but emphasised the absence of detail. 'We're having a debate here today in the absence of real detailed information about how GB Energy is going to select, prioritise and direct investments in Northern Ireland,' he said. 'We also have a situation where Northern Ireland is part of an all-island single electricity market. We also are bound by aspects of European law in relation to that – that's for a very good reason, because it enables us to keep the lights on because we have a single grid operating on this island. 'None of that is necessarily a deterrent for GB Energy operating in Northern Ireland … but I am drawing attention to the unique regulatory and investment position that Northern Ireland is in.' Alliance MLA David Honeyford voiced support for the LCM, but also expressed concern at a lack of detail, while UUP MLA Steve Aiken said his party will also support it. People Before Profit MLA Gerry Carroll said had concerns about the Bill, as well as the fact that MLAs had indicated they would back the LCM despite complaining of a lack of information. 'There are serious questions about whether this LCM should be supported at all,' he said. Responding to some of the comments raised during the debate, Ms Archibald said even if the LCM is not approved by the Assembly, GB Energy will still operate in Northern Ireland, but Stormont will have no ability to engage. 'It would be bad form if they (UK Government) ploughed on regardless, but if the LCM isn't passed it does not preclude GB Energy as a company from operating here in the North, and we would have absolutely no ability to shape what is being developed or taken forward,' she said. 'So the approval of today's motion enables us to remain engaged as work on GB Energy progresses.' The LCM was passed by the Assembly.
