The government will have another opportunity to stop the Central Bank facilitating the sale of Israeli war bonds after the Social Democrats announced plans to use its Dáil time to bring forward a cross-party motion on the issue, according to Social Democrats acting leader Cian O’Callaghan.
“Last week, while decrying the situation in Gaza as genocide, the government voted against a Bill that would have stopped the Central Bank from facilitating the sale of Israeli war bonds.
“This is hugely problematic given Ireland is a signatory to the Genocide Convention and has a legal responsibility to do whatever it can to stop a genocide from occurring or persisting.
“Next week, the government will have a chance to right this wrong – and begin matching its words with action.
“The Social Democrats are using our Dáil time to bring forward a cross-party motion to end the Central Bank’s role in the facilitation of these bonds.
“There is clear and independent Oireachtas legal advice, stating the State has authority to do this, so there can be no more excuses for inaction.
“I believe that Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael should give their TDs a free vote on this issue of conscience. No TD should be whipped to vote against measures that censure an apartheid state committing a genocide.
“History will judge us all for the actions we took to try to stop this genocide. I implore the government to support this motion.”
June 6, 2025
Note:
1. The motion is jointly sponsored by the Social Democrats, Sinn Féin, the Labour Party, the Green Party and People Before Profit/Solidarity.
2. Full text of motion here