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Alice-Mary Higgins

@aliceeire.bsky.social
1.4K followers 474 following 66 posts

Independent Senator on NUI Panel. Leader of Seanad Civil Engagement Group.

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Reposted by Alice-Mary Higgins
Sam Tranum @samtranum.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Ireland rolled out red carpet for Intel. Barred by EU sanctions from exporting hi-tech chips to Russia, Ireland's been sending heaps to Israel. They've both civilian and military uses. Israeli defence co. Elbit Systems uses them in "advanced tactical computer" for infantry, Special Forces etc
thecurrency.news
Tax breaks, grants and energy costs: How Ireland rolled out the red carpet for Intel - The Currency
In the two weeks following the last general election on November 29, 2024, the dust settled and it became clear that the outgoing Fianna Fáil/Fine Gael-led coalition would remain in government once it...
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Alice-Mary Higgins @aliceeire.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Yesterday I demanded answers from the Minister about the Irish Government position on shocking proposals to give AI companies access to our personal data which are being negotiated right now on Ireland's watch. The public across EU want rights protected & more regulation of AI and big tech not less!
position.to
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Richard Chambers @newschambers.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Exclusive: New report says Ireland could have built 50,000 new homes over the five years of the data centre boom - and cannot “afford” to continue building. Authors called for a moratorium on new data centres - and have hit out at government comparisons painting them as “our German car industry.”
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Alice-Mary Higgins @aliceeire.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
Tens of thousands came out today to say we reject the politics of smash & grab & we recognise colonialism and its enablers. We sent a message of solidarity to all those oppressed around the world & the amazing Americans fighting authoritarianism.
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Richard Chambers @newschambers.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
Statement from President Connolly: We are in a world facing the existential threat posed by war and climate change, both of which are inextricably interlinked. I conveyed the strong view of the Irish people that the normalisation of war and genocide can never be accepted.
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Alice-Mary Higgins @aliceeire.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
Register!
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Attracta Uí Bhroin @attractaub.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
Shocked to hear of the passing of Frank McDonald. A great champion for Dublin's built heritage and good #planning. Key driver behind Mahon & Flood tribunals. We owe him a huge debt. Ar dheis lámh Dé go raibh a hanam uasal. www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2026...
irishtimes.com
Frank McDonald, former environment editor of The Irish Times, dies
McDonald’s reporting on planning corruption was pioneering in Irish journalism, and he regularly reported from abroad on climate negotiations
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Simon McGarr @tupped.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
You can, and if you haven’t already I commend it to you, borrow his books through any library on the destruction, construction and misconstruction of Dublin. librariesireland.spydus.ie/cgi-bin/spyd...
librariesireland.spydus.ie
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Sam Tranum @samtranum.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
The Oireachtas has been leaning into Microsoft for its comms, even as other European governments abandon US tech. Switching to the US big tech provider, for phone systems and more, comes at a time of fierce debate about tech sovereignty.
dublininquirer.com
The Oireachtas leans into Microsoft for its comms, even as other European governments abandon US tech
Switching to the US big tech provider, for phone systems and more, comes at a time of fierce debate about tech sovereignty.
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Corporate Europe Observatory (CEO) @corporateeurope.org · 10/08/2026
"We’re witnessing the biggest #deregulation agenda in the history of the EU – driven by big corporations, who want to make it easier to exploit people and our planet for profit. With so much at stake, Ireland’s EU Presidency is more important than ever" 🚨 @uplift.ie www.uplift.ie/corpwatch-de...
uplift.ie
Ireland’s EU Presidency: what do big corporations have to do with it? - Uplift - People Powered Change
Cartoon by Khalil Bendib, via Corporate Europe Observatory Right now, the EU laws that are meant to protect our food, workplaces, and environment are under attack. We’re witnessing the biggest “deregu...
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Patrick Bresnihan @pbresnihan.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
Coincidentally, €800 billion is what the EU has committed to ReArm Europe. A militarisation agenda that will not only increase the likelihood of catastrophic war but also increase emissions and resource extraction. euobserver.com/228758/extre...
euobserver.com
Extreme heat puts €800bn hole in Europe’s economy — as Germany, France and Italy bear the brunt
Europe’s failure to shield workers from extreme heat is becoming an €800bn threat to jobs, wages, and national budgets, as farms and construction sites grind to a halt.
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Patrick Bresnihan @pbresnihan.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
The Government commissioned a €100k report by KMPG not to inform policy but to 'provide the evidence base that supports the position that we should continue to further develop our data centre landscape post 2030.' That is reckless and negligent. www.thejournal.ie/data-centre-...
thejournal.ie
Concerns over supporting data centres ahead of transport or housing scrubbed from government report
Several aspects which questioned continued investment in the sector were later cut from the final version released to the public.
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Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign @ipsc.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
Powerful words from Senator Alice-Mary Higgins at Government Buildings yesterday. "If Ireland says no and if our Central Bank says no, the bonds will not be sold in Europe." The Central Bank of Ireland must #StopFundingGenocide
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Irish Council for Civil Liberties 🏳️‍🌈 @iccl.bsky.social · 12/06/2026
When is biometric identification not biometric identification? When the minister says so. A new Garda AI bill would allow gardaí use facial recognition & biometrics like gait to track people in CCTV footage. @tupped.bsky.social @tjmcintyre.com @digitalrightsirl.bsky.social @olgacronin.bsky.social
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Alice-Mary Higgins @aliceeire.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
Environmentalist friends - a lot of interesting roles with UNEP at the moment.
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Róisín Moriarty @roisinmoriarty.com · 21/05/2026
The authors of the letter are in strong agreement on this point. @colmduff.bsky.social @hannahdaly.ie @swimsure.bsky.social @autofac.bsky.social & David Styles 5/13
A letter sent to Minister Darragh O'Brien (DCEE) cc'ing Minister Martin Haydon (DAFM) today with reference to temperature neutrlity approach to methan reduction. The letter reads 'A Aire
A rapid and deep reduction in global methane emissions is essential to meet the temperature goal of the Paris Agreement, reduce peak warming and avoid climate tipping points.
We share a deep concern that the achievement of this urgent and necessary reduction risks being undermined if approaches to greenhouse gas metrics and climate targets are redefined.
We wish to draw your attention to a statement, released today, signed by 42 experts, including leading climate scientists, that urges governments to
1)	reject the inappropriate application of GWP*, including the use of ‘temperature neutrality’ or ‘no additional warming’ as a basis for national targets or reporting
2)	adopt methane targets aligned with the Paris Agreement’s 1.5 °C target, requiring at least 47–60 % global methane reductions by 2050 and that countries pursue the ‘highest possible ambition’
3)	reaffirm the Global Methane Pledge to cut methane emissions by 30 per cent by 2030.
Ireland is a high-income country with high per capita methane emissions—six times the global equity share —and as such, has above average responsibility to reduce methane emissions and demonstrate highest possible ambition in accordance with the Paris Agreement.
The Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate, Environment and Energy (JOC)  reviewed the Climate Change Advisory Council’s (CCAC) proposed carbon budgets and recommended that the minister and government should consider aligning targets using the previous ‘Paris Test’ &  and not temperature neutrality as proposed by the CCAC . We are in strong agreement with the JOC on this point.'

letter is continuted in next image

The letter continues 'The inappropriate application of alternative metrics, such as GWP*, or the adoption of ‘temperature neutrality‘ targets at the national level, risks delaying methane reduction and undermining international efforts to align climate policy with the Paris Agreement temperature goal.' 

The letter is signed by

Dr Colm Duffy, Research Fellow & Lecturer, School of Biological & Chemical Sciences, University of Galway, Dr Róisín Moriarty, Research Fellow Climate Science & Policy, University College Cork, Hannah Daly, Professor of Sustainable Energy, University College Cork, Mr Paul Price, Researcher, Dublin City University (adjunct), David Styles		Professor, School of Biological & Chemical Science, University of Galway
and Barry McMullin, Professor, Dublin City University (emeritus)

The full statement, referenced above, can be found at https://methanescience.org/

Reference from the letter
1) Duffy et al 2025 https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/adf12d
2) Joint Oireachtas Committee 2025 https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/committee/dail/34/joint_committee_on_climate_environment_and_energy/reports/2025/2025-10-06_report-on-the-proposed-carbon-budgets_en.pdf
3) See McMullin et al 2024 https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/ad3660
4) See Price 2026 https://ejni.net/publications/consistent-paris-test-assessment-of-the-2024-proposal-for-irelands-2031-2040-carbon-budgets/
5) CCAC 2024 https://www.climatecouncil.ie/media/CCAC%20Carbon-Budget%20Proposal%202024-final.pdf
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Róisín Moriarty @roisinmoriarty.com · 21/05/2026
The Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate, Environment and Energy recommended that the minister and government should consider aligning targets using the previous ‘Paris Test’ and not temperature neutrality as proposed by the Climate Change Advisory Council. 4/13
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Olivia Guest · Ολίβια Γκεστ @olivia.science · 08/05/2026
updated to link to all I know of; please sign: openletter.earth/open-letter-... > Colleagues and I have written and published: Open Letter: Stop the Uncritical Adoption of AI Technologies in Academia. Also there are versions in Dutch, French, German, Italian, and Spanish olivia.science/ai/#activism
openletter.earth
Open Letter: Stop the Uncritical Adoption of AI Technologies in Academia
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Una Mullally @unamullally.bsky.social · 05/05/2026
The voter registration deadline for the Dublin Central and Galway West by-elections is midnight tonight. You can check the register here: www.voter.ie #SpeirGorm
voter.ie
Electoral Portal
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Rob @robosullivan.bsky.social · 02/05/2026
The problem with the words unsustainable is it means one thing to the neoliberal political class and something else entirely to the rest of us. When our leaders describe something as unsustainable they mean "economically" and by extension "politically". What the rest of us mean is "existentially".
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Friends of the Earth Europe @foeeurope.bsky.social · 23/04/2026
As the 1st Conference on Transitioning Away From Fossil Fuels is about to start, a major yet little-known blocker needs attention: #ISDS ISDS lets big polluters sue states over climate action, sabotaging the just transition we need. +300 organisations agree: it's a threat to our collective future👇
friendsoftheearth.eu
Investor-State Dispute Settlement is a threat to our collective future
Investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS) threatens a just transition from fossil fuels and the urgent need for a social and ecological transformation for people and the planet.
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Alice-Mary Higgins @aliceeire.bsky.social · 22/04/2026
At 2.30 today, I will be bringing our CEG Arms Embargo Bill back to the Seanad for Report & Final stages. Our Bill would end the flow of weapons through our airports & airspace to illegal military action by Israel, move us from zero inspections to mandatory inspections & tackle illegal overflights!
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Alice-Mary Higgins @aliceeire.bsky.social · 18/02/2026
Sad & disappointed that tonight in Dail Government are voting to kill my Quality in Public Procurement Bill which already passed all stages in Seanad with full cross-party support & backing from from unions, construction industry, RIAI & many more. This is a missed chance to #SpendBetter #speirgorm
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Alice-Mary Higgins @aliceeire.bsky.social · 12/02/2026
My Quality in Public Procurement Bill which already passed all stages in Seanad will be debated in the Dail later today. My Bill puts quality at the heart of procurement, making sure the €19billion in annual spending is spent better and avoids the race to the bottom that is the current model.
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Dr Abeba Birhane @abeba.blacksky.app · 15/01/2026
are you displeased with today’s AI safety evaluation landscape and curious about what greater conceptual clarity, methodological soundness, and rigour in AI evaluation could look like? if so, consider coming to Dublin to pursue a PhD with me apply here: aial.ie/hiring/phd-a... pls repost
About the PhD: 
Audits and evaluation of AI systems — and the broader context that AI systems operate in — have become central to conceptualising, quantifying, measuring and understanding the operations, failures, limitations, underlying assumptions, and downstream societal implications of AI systems. Existing AI audit and evaluation efforts are fractured, done in a siloed and ad-hoc manner, and with little deliberation and reflection around conceptual rigour and methodological validity.

This PhD is for a candidate that is passionate about exploring what a conceptually cogent, methodologically sound, and well-founded AI evaluation and safety research might look like. This requires grappling with questions such as:

    What does it mean to represent “ground truth” in proxies, synthetic data, or computational simulation?
    How do we reliably measure abstract and complex phenomena?
    What are the epistemological or methodological implications of quantification and measurement approaches we choose to employ? Particularly, what underlying presuppositions, values, or perspectives do they entail?
    How do we ensure the lived experiences of impacted communities play a critical role in the development and justification of measurement metrics and proxies?
    Through exploration of these questions, the candidate is expected to engage with core concepts in the philosophy of science, history of science, Black feminist epistemologies, and similar schools of thought to develop an in-depth understanding of existing practices with the aim of applying it to advance shared standards and best practice in AI evaluation.

The candidate is expected to integrate empirical (for example, through analysis or evaluation of existing benchmarks) or practical (for example, by executing evaluation of AI systems) components into the overall work.
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Saoirse McHugh @saoirsemc.bsky.social · 06/02/2026
There are currently two corporations with applications to strip the west coast of seaweed. There will be a tiny window to put in a submission to these applications but it'd be good to build momentum now and get these applications being talked about locally. Please sign and share.
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Alice-Mary Higgins @aliceeire.bsky.social · 29/01/2026
Looking forward to this event tonight on the power of active neutrality, the dangers of escalating militarisation & the role Ireland can play to promote peace, international law & the UN. 7pm at Wynns Hotel Dublin TONIGHT All welcome
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Orla Breslin @stitchlily.eurosky.social · 28/01/2026
We're at 80.37%. C'mon Ireland. France is at 307%!! Where's your competitive spirit. This petition is the queen of petitions, 👸. I know you've signed a lot already, but don't skip this one by. It's got clout! #JusticeForPalestine #Speirgorm
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Alice-Mary Higgins @aliceeire.bsky.social · 16/01/2026
Hi, since a few people have been asking me - I stopped using x about a year ago. My last post was on Feb 4th 2025 - it told people I was moving to bluesky & mastadon & encouraged others to do the same!
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Alice-Mary Higgins @aliceeire.bsky.social · 15/01/2026
great news
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Rob @robosullivan.bsky.social · 14/01/2026
The An Taisce website has plenty of suggestions on what to include in the email, but if you find it overwhelming I will legit help you write an email. Just reply here if you want help or DM me if we're mutuals #Spéirgorm
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Karlin Lillington @klillington.bsky.social · 12/01/2026
€FOUR. BILLION.... www.irishtimes.com/business/202...
irishtimes.com
Data Protection Commission owed more than €4 billion in fines
Levies have either not been collected or are subject to legal challenge
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Simon McGarr @tupped.bsky.social · 11/01/2026
New Gist: What you can do about the Abuse Factory As a follow-up to yesterday’s Gist, I’ve done a list of four things you can do about X without even having to put down your iPhone. www.thegist.ie/the-gist-wha...
thegist.ie
The Gist: What you can do about the Abuse Factory
Four quick and powerful things you can do about X without even putting your phone down.
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Alice-Mary Higgins @aliceeire.bsky.social · 06/01/2026
Happy Nollaig na mBan! and wishing Peace and Love to all in 2026 (despite the rough start...) #speirgorm
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Alice-Mary Higgins @aliceeire.bsky.social · 04/01/2026
Ireland and the EU should be actively shouting about US breaches of international law right now - failure to do so contributes to normalisation of a new era of colonial gangsterism.
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Eoghan Daltun 🌍 @irishrainforest.bsky.social · 28/12/2025
Our living planet is being relentlessly annihilated on a scale that's beyond any understanding. It is literally the apocalypse, in our time. Is that *all* we humans collectively amount to? I believe we have the power to change.
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Alice-Mary Higgins @aliceeire.bsky.social · 21/12/2025
Happy Solstice to All! 💛
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Alice-Mary Higgins @aliceeire.bsky.social · 11/11/2025
So proud of my father for all the passion, courage,care and vision he brought to the last 14 years as President of Ireland. Both my parents have always been driven by a deep wide love for Ireland & the world, for people, planet & possibilities. Looking forward to their next chapter! #Grá #spiergirm
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Richard Chambers @newschambers.bsky.social · 07/11/2025
The world’s first trillionaire initiated a move that has left more than half a million people dead, most of whom are children.
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Edna Dowling @libertiesbelle.bsky.social · 03/11/2025
#SpéirGorm Story from Journal.ie
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Alice-Mary Higgins @aliceeire.bsky.social · 24/10/2025
Vote!
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Environmental Pillar @envpillar.bsky.social · 29/09/2025
Ireland’s nature is in a “very poor” state, with the country’s economic growth achieved at the expense of the environment, according to the EU’s State of Europe’s Environment report. We’re running out of wake-up calls! www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2025...
irishtimes.com
Ireland’s natural environment in ‘very poor’ condition, EU analysis finds
European Environment Report - news (analysis piece to follow) Embargoed to Sunday night 11pm
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Rewilding Ireland @rewildingire.bsky.social · 10/09/2025
handsoffnature.eu/take-action/... Last day of Public Consultation Sign and Share! Have your say in protecting nature!
handsoffnature.eu
Take Action - Hands Off Nature
The Europe an Commission wants to roll back vital environmental protections – and they’re asking for your opinion. We have 10 days to speak up before it’s too late.
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Jude Sherry @judesherry.bsky.social · 09/09/2025
While you're on holiday, the EU is dismantling environmental protections 🏖️➡️💔 #HandsOffNature You have until 10 September to tell the Commission what you think. Your voice matters: birdwatchireland.ie/our-work/adv...
birdwatchireland.ie
Hands Off Nature - BirdWatch Ireland
Tell politicians how important nature is to you and stop the EU from tearing up the laws that protect birds and nature.
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Ciara | Ciaraíoch 🎨 @ciaraioch.bsky.social · 13/08/2025
There's a REALLY quick and easy survey for the public consultation on the Basic Income for the Arts scheme - it only takes a few seconds, anyone can fill it in, and it could make a huge difference to arts workers in Ireland. Take a few ticks to places a few ticks here: ec.europa.eu/eusurvey/run...
Screenshot of the first two questions in the survey - there's only six to answer.

#SpéirGorm #SpéirGhorm #Ireland #Art
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Richard Chambers @newschambers.bsky.social · 11/08/2025
Placards from this evening’s protest.
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Joe Noonan @joenoonan.bsky.social · 10/08/2025
Journalist Anas Al-Sharif reporting from Gaza, shortly before Israel killed him tonight: “If this madness doesn’t end, Gaza will be reduced to ruins, its people’s voices silenced, their faces erased — and history will remember you as silent witnesses to a genocide you chose not to stop.”
Anas Al-Sharif post shortly before his death under Israeli fire:

“If this madness doesn’t end, Gaza will be reduced to ruins, its people’s voices silenced, their faces erased — and history will remember you as silent witnesses to a genocide you chose not to stop.”
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Prem Thakker ツ @premthakker.bsky.social · 10/08/2025
The Israeli military just killed him. (Look at the photo caption)
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Una Mullally @unamullally.bsky.social · 06/08/2025
Data centres in Ireland involved in this story of mass surveillance of Palestinians.
theguardian.com
‘A million calls an hour’: Israel relying on Microsoft cloud for expansive surveillance of Palestinians
Revealed: The Israeli military undertook an ambitious project to store a giant trove of Palestinians’ phone calls on Microsoft’s servers in Europe
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Alice-Mary Higgins @aliceeire.bsky.social · 06/08/2025
Slovenia the first to deliver long overdue action to enforce international law & end trade with illegal settlements in Occupied Palestinian Territories - Ireland needs to rapidly follow through & include ban on services as recommended by our FA Committee report. www.reuters.com/world/middle...
reuters.com
Slovenia introduces ban on imports from Israeli-occupied territories
Slovenia on Wednesday introduced a ban on imports of goods produced in Israeli-occupied Palestinian territories and approved an additional aid package for Palestinians in Gaza, the government said in a statement.
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