Occupied Territories Bill banning trade in goods but not services passed by Dáil without vote

Ireland's lower house of parliament, the Dáil, has approved a bill that prohibits trade in goods originating from occupied territories. The legislation passed without a formal vote, a move that drew sharp criticism from some lawmakers.

Paul Murphy, a legislator, voiced strong opposition to the government's handling of the bill. He accused the coalition parties of seeking to 'absolutely gut' the legislation's intent and impact. Murphy specifically objected to the decision to limit the parliamentary debate on the bill to a mere 90 minutes, arguing this severely curtailed necessary discussion.

The bill's passage, despite the procedural objections, signals a stance against trade involving goods from these disputed regions. However, the controversy surrounding the limited debate and Murphy's accusations highlights ongoing tensions regarding the bill's scope and the government's legislative process.

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trying to ‘absolutely gut’ legislation