Mark Ward

I move amendment No. 5: In page 3, between lines 27 and 28, to insert the following: " 'recruitment for purpose of serving in the armed forces of a state engaged in war crimes, crimes against humanity or genocide' shall be construed in accordance with section 4F;"

I move amendment No. 6: In page 3, between lines 27 and 28, to insert the following: " 'travel for purpose of serving in the armed forces of a state engaged in war crimes, crimes against humanity or genocide' shall be construed in accordance with section 4F;".

I accept that amendment Nos. 7 and 8 are connected to the amendments I spoke about previously but I will speak on amendment No. 8 and possibly come back in on amendment No. 7. We have to remind ourselves of what we are dealing with and why we cannot allow citizens of our State to serve in the IDF or any other armed force engaged in war crimes. In addition to the destruction of Gaza and the killing…

I have some concerns that the definitions in the Minister's amendment are overly expansive. They risk capturing non-terrorist activity and blur distinctions between intent and action, potentially granting disproportionate State power without sufficient safeguarding or clarity. Does the Minister have any concerns that the amendment's vague definitions could risk capturing lawful protest, activism, …

I move amendment No. 8: In page 4, between lines 6 and 7, to insert the following: "(f) organising or facilitating travel for the purpose of serving in the armed forces of a state engaged in war crimes, crimes against humanity or genocide, (g) providing training in the armed forces of a state engaged in war crimes, crimes against humanity or genocide, (h) receiving training in the armed forces…

I move amendment No. 9: In page 4, to delete lines 14 to 29. There is a need for robust legislation to tackle terrorism and terrorist activity. I know everybody can agree on this. I will hang on for a minute, if that is alright, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle, if people want to leave while we are discussing Palestine and the genocide that goes on there.

This is needed, particularly given the current global climate. However, the vagueness in this Bill is more likely to lead to abuse by the Government to stamp out political protest, political activism and free speech. Intention and the glorification of terrorism are open to interpretation. We cannot have a vague Bill and I will outline why. A clause in the Bill could criminalise those of us who wi…

I will sleep well tonight knowing the Minister will not be coming after me for wearing my Easter lily. I also appreciate his assurance that my future attendance at any commemoration of our patriot dead will not be seen as a terrorist offence. However, he has not given me any assurance that future Ministers sitting in his seat will take the same stance. There is vagueness in the Bill that is open t…

I move amendment No. 11: In page 7, between lines 32 and 33, to insert the following: “Training for purpose of serving in the armed forces of a state engaged in war crimes, crimes against humanity or genocide 4F. (1) For the purposes of this Part, training in the armed forces of a state engaged in the commission of war crimes, crimes against humanity or genocide means intentionally providing in…

I move amendment No. 12: In page 7, between lines 32 and 33, to insert the following: “Recruitment for purpose of serving in the armed forces of a state engaged in war crimes, crimes against humanity or genocide 4F.For the purposes of this Part, recruitment for purpose of serving in the armed forces of a state engaged in war crimes, crimes against humanity or genocide means the intentional recr…

I move amendment No. 13: In page 7, between lines 32 and 33, to insert the following: “Travel for purpose of serving in the armed forces of a state engaged in war crimes, crimes against humanity or genocide 4F.For the purposes of this Part, a person travels for the purpose of serving in the armed forces of a state engaged in war crimes, crimes against humanity or genocide if he or she travels f…

I move amendment No. 14: In page 7, between lines 32 and 33, to insert the following: “Organising or facilitating travel for purpose of participation in the armed forces of another state which is engaged in genocide, crimes against humanity or war crimes 4F.For the purposes of this Part, a person organises or facilitates travel for the purpose of participation in the armed forces of another sta…

My understanding is that amendment No. 19 aims to make terrorism financing offences easier to prosecute by removing the requirement to prove that funds were actually used for a specific terrorist act or that the accused knew the precise purpose. It broadens liability across subsections and aligns evidential rules with section 6 so that prosecutors need only show that funds were provided in circums…

21. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on climate action, environment and energy will next meet. [31949/26]

Hear, hear.

Hear, hear.

As the Tánaiste is aware, Saggart is the location of a State-owned IPAS centre. This was purchased by the State without any meaningful consultation with residents or Opposition TDs. Sinn Féin submitted an amendment to the recent International Protection Act for community consultation but the Government opposed this. Any area that has seen an increase in population like Saggart will see pressure on…

31. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on EU and international affairs will next meet. [31950/26]

7. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if he will call for a boycott of the upcoming Nations League matches between Ireland and Israel on the grounds that Israel is an apartheid state that has engaged in ethnic cleansing and genocide; his engagement with an organisation (details supplied) on this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32981/26]

Will the Government call for a boycott of the upcoming Nations League matches between Ireland and Israel on the grounds that Israel is an apartheid state that has engaged in ethnic cleansing and genocide? What engagement has the Minister of State had with the FAI on the matter? If he thinks it is okay to ban Russia from international sport, why can the same rule not apply to Israel? Will the Minis…

Let us get real here. The Minister of State is ducking any responsibility. If the Government opposed Ireland playing Israel in an international soccer match, the FAI would follow suit. Yesterday a campaign was launched to stop the game between Ireland and Israel. An open letter was signed by many people in Irish soccer, including Brian Kerr, Joe Redmond, Pico Lopez, Louise Quinn and Roddy Collins …

The Minister of State mentioned sanctions on Russia. The Government has still not enacted the occupied territories Bill. We are still waiting. That was a promise in the programme for Government. What the Government has responsibility for is who comes into our country. Can the Minister of State guarantee that those arriving to support Israel have not taken part in or supported genocide? What securi…

What about the security measures?

I thank my constituency colleague, Deputy Ó Broin, for bringing forward this motion here today. The issue of regeneration of inner city flat complexes is not new. I was actually in Henrietta House today, canvassing on behalf of Janice Boylan for the upcoming by-election, and you could not meet a nicer bunch of residents. One woman I was speaking to asked me to come in here to give the Government h…

This is not good enough. This motion we are talking about today calls on Government to fund Dublin City Council's proposed retrofit and regeneration in inner-city flat complexes and to put the views and the needs of the strong, vibrant, long-standing inner city communities at the centre of this policy, like the people we see here in the Public Gallery. They need to be at the heart of this convers…