Good morning,
Two stories in the paper this morning neatly illustrate the rollercoaster ride Irish politics is on, largely due to geopolitical events and conflict. Firstly, Pat Leahy reports on an analysis of risks for US firms operating in Ireland stemming from the proposed Occupied Territories Bill.
The paper, which has been shared with the government and the Oireachtas Foreign Affairs Committee, was drawn up by New York attorneys and sent to the committee and government by B’nai B’rith International, a US-based advocacy and social service organisation with operations around the world. It argues that the Irish law conflicts with US federal and State laws designed to prohibit Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions directed at the state of Israel - which require companies to certify they will not boycott Israel. It flags a host of other issues too.
Advocates for the bill may dismiss the analysis, but it is clear these fears play on the government’s mind here - Taoiseach Micheál Martin flagged the BDS laws in recent weeks as a potential reason not to include trade in services in the bill.
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The submission is an analysis of US law, rather than what might be possible under the constitution, Irish or European law, which is the most narrowly applicable set of concerns when drawing up Irish legislation. But at its core, this piece of legislation is not purely about what’s technically or legally possible, nor what is domestically politically opportune. There is a wider realpolitik, and against that backdrop, the government has to weigh the balance between its interests and its values.
On the front page, Jack Power and Pat report that the EU and US are on the brink of a trade deal which would go a long way towards defusing the risk of the tariff dispute escalating into a full-blown trade war. If it proceeds, it will likely leave EU-US trade damaged, relative to a pre-Trump 2.0 world, but it would at least provide a modicum of stability - a precious commodity these days. The Government here remains on standby, and is wary of the erratic nature of the Trump administration. Nonetheless, if it lands, even if it is light on details and beckons in more complex sector-level negotiations while the threat of pharma tariffs remains, it would be a reprieve of sorts.
Best reads
The Seanad heard poignant stories of pregnancy loss as it debated a bill from Sinn Féin’s Senator Nicole Ryan as the party pushes for paid leaving following miscarriage.
‘Really scary territory’: AI’s increasing role in undermining democracy.
As we approach July 12th, Dr Amanda Dylina Morse looks at the bonfire as a source of division and cohesion.
Miriam Lord on the Taoiseach’s moment of clarity on insurance payout hikes - and avoiding an addition to the Government’s embarrassment of glitches.
Harry McGee has the latest on the opposition’s slow bicycle race towards a presidential candidate.
The weekend is looming into view and the sun is out. Indulge in a bit of property daydreaming and think if you had a spare €6 million or €2.85 million to splash around.
Playbook
In the Dáil, Simon Harris opens proceedings at 8.47am with oral questions, followed by Dara Calleary on the same beat. At midday there will be a minute’s silence for the victims of the Srebrenica massacre, with Leaders’ Questions to follow, after which there will be Other Members’ Questions and Questions on Policy or Legislation.
In the afternoon, Government Business is given over to data protection and statements on domestic, sexual and gender based violence.
Topical issues is at 5.18pm, followed by the second stage of a bill from Labour’s Duncan Smith on noise regulations at Dublin Airport - which would make the Environmental
Protection Agency responsible, rather than Fingal County Council.
The Seanad sits from 9.30am, with commencement matters followed by the order of business. Government Business takes up most of the day, with statements on transport matters followed by the second stage of the Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill.
The weekly meeting of the Public Accounts Committee is at 9.30am, with the Department of Public Expenditure likely to face a grilling over the miscalculation of pensions for civil servants and politicians revealed last month.
Tusla are at the Committee on Children and Equality at the same time.
Education unions are at the Committee on Education and Youth at 9.30, before principals from four schools come in to discuss the redesignation of schools for children with mild general learning disabilities.
The Defence Committee continues pre-legislative scrutiny of the Defence Amendement Bill.
