Latest news with #SinéadGibney
The Journal
19 hours ago
- Business
- The Journal
Opposition calls for ‘vote of conscience' on Israeli 'war bonds' ahead of cross-party motion
OPPOSITION PARTIES HAVE requested a free 'vote of conscience' on a motion calling on the Government to stop the Central Bank from facilitating the sale of Israeli State Bonds. The Central Bank of Ireland is the designated authority in relation to the sale of Israeli Bonds in the EU. Israeli State 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, leading some to dub them 'Israeli war bonds'. 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. Advertisement Last month, a Sinn Féin bill which sought to stop the Irish Central Bank facilitating the sale of Israeli 'war bonds' was defeated after the Government voted against the draft legislation. On Wednesday, the Dáil 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 ha obligations under the Genocide Convention to use all means likely to have a deterrent effect on those suspected of preparing genocide. Speaking to reporters today, Social Democrats TD Sinéad 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 Féin TD Seán Crowe said he believes the gap between the vote on the Sinn Féin Bill and this motion will give TDs 'time to reflect'.
RTÉ News
21 hours ago
- Politics
- RTÉ News
Opposition seek free Government vote on sale of Israeli bonds
Four opposition parties have called on Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael TDs to be given a free vote on an upcoming Dáil motion which seeks to prevent the Irish Central Bank from facilitating the sale of Israeli bonds. A cross-party motion will be brought forward on Wednesday by the Social Democrats, which is being backed by Sinn Fein, Labour and People Before Profit / Solidarity. Speaking at Leinster House today, Social Democrats deputy Sinéad Gibney said that Government TDs should be allowed to vote with their conscience, saying she believed such a motion would have a "domino effect" and other countries will adopt a similar stance. She said it's the "time and moment to stand up" as the bonds are being used by the Israeli government to buy "bullets and bombs to kill people." Sinn Féin deputy Seán Crowe said his party backed the Social Democrats plan, after bringing a similar motion to the floor of the Dáil last month. He said that things are getting worse in Gaza "every week", even though at times it seemed impossible for such a scenario to be possible. People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy accused the Israeli government of "using access to humanitarian aid as a weapon of war", adding that its navy had "kidnapped" pro-Palestinian activists overnight on the freedom flotilla which was attempting to bring desperately needed supplies to Gaza. He said that there "must be no complicity in this genocide" by the Irish nation, and he said the Irish government must ensure that the Central Bank is not "facilitating this genocide." Labour whip Duncan Smith said adopting the motion would send a "clear signal" that Ireland refuses "morally and ethically" to stand-over war bonds. He said he met members of Human Rights Watch last week who told him that while the Irish government may be doing more than other States on Gaza, "the bar is so low." Deputy Smith also criticised the Coalition for saying it will work with the Opposition when constructive motions are put forward, but then goes on to block them.
Irish Times
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Irish Times
Practicality rather than divisions behind front-bench reshuffle, Social Democrats say
The Social Democrats have dismissed suggestions that a mini reshuffle among its front bench spokespeople was done for anything other than practical reasons. Acting party leader Cian O'Callaghan announced that Dublin Rathdown TD Sinéad Gibney was moving from the foreign affairs brief to media, tourism and arts, with Kilkenny-based senator Patricia Stephenson taking on her former role. A party spokeswoman said there was no basis to suggestions about divisions in the party, noting that both portfolios were senior and reflected the experience and expertise of the appointee. There are divided views within the parliamentary party about the status of Eoin Hayes , the Dublin Bay South TD who was suspended by the party over a failure to account fully for the manner in which he disposed of shareholdings in Palantir, a US-based company that has provided military technology to Israel. Some members of the parliamentary party are understood to want to bring his suspension to an end. READ MORE The spokeswoman said the decision to reshuffle spokespeople was taken in order to align them with their Oireachtas committee responsibilities. Ms Stephenson had not previously been a party spokesperson and there was uncertainty over which committee she would be appointed to. When it became known she had been selected to the Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, the logical thing was for her to become spokesperson in that area, the party said. The same applied to Ms Gibney, who is a member of the Committee on Media, Tourism and Arts. Mr O'Callaghan said Ms Stephenson is 'a former EU diplomat, having worked for the EU delegation to Uganda in the governance and human rights department' and is also one of the Irish delegates to the Council of Europe. Ms Gibney, the former chief commissioner of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission, is one of the party's most high-profile TDs. She has experience of the media and communications sector, having spent eight years working at a senior level for a multinational technology company. Ms Gibney said she had enjoyed working in the 'crucial area' of foreign affairs alongside Ms Stephenson but was 'excited to get stuck into my new portfolio'. She said she was delighted her colleague had secured a committee position and a chance to 'bring her expertise' to the area.
