Important not to play politics with OT bill - Harris

Taoiseach Simon Harris has said it was important not to play politics with the Occupied Territories Bill.

Mr Harris was responding to questions about the offer made by Sinn Féin and the Social Democrats to give over their Dáil time next week to pass the bill.

He said progress with the bill was being made and he signed the money message to allow discussion of the bill to commence.

Speaking in Portlaoise he said however there is going to be a general election announced within days and once the election takes place the Dáil can resume legislation not passed before dissolution.

Speaking in Galway, Tánaiste Micheal Martin said it will not be possible to pass the bill next week despite the offers, because very substantial amendments are required.

Two senior Government ministers also turned down rival parties' offers.

Fianna Fáil's deputy leader and Minister for Finance Jack Chambers, and Green Party leader and Minister for Children Roderic O'Gorman both turned down the offer.

""I think first of all it's really important Government have issued the money message to all the bill to move from second stage to committee stage," Mr O'Gorman said.

"My understanding is there'll be committee hearings next week.

"I've spoken to [Independent] senator Frances Black, who's the senator behind this piece of legislation, to tease through what are the changes to be made to the bill to ensure that when it is legislated for and when challenges come from Europe it is the strongest, the most legally robust bill possible.

"Those changes and enhancements to the bill have to be discussed at the committee.

"So I think take the time next week to tease out all of the issues, make sure it's as strong as possible, and then early in the next Dáil - because all parties are in agreement - lets pass that bill, and lets end trade with the occupied Palestinian territories."

Mr Chambers also said the bill is likely to be passed in the next Dáil rather than next week.

He said: "I welcome the wider engagement we've had on this around updating legal and Constitutional advice on the bill.

"We want to work across the House to ensure we can make the adjustments required so that it stands up to legal and Constitutional scrutiny, which is of central importance."

He added that the bill is unlikely therefore to be passed next week, and that any work next week will be "with a view to the next Dáil being able to fully legislate for this".

Harris 'anti-carbon', not 'anti-car'

Mr O'Gorman insisted there were "no proposals for new taxes" on cars, saying reports on the issue are based on a "strategy" document examining various road issues and do not involve imminent policy changes.

The Irish Independent reported that the Green Party was seeking to introduce new anti-pollution taxes on cars and heavy goods vehicles.

The newspaper said the Green Party had pushed for the implementation of the strategy as a way to help reduce traffic congestion.

The minister downplayed the suggestion, before confirming there had been "push back" from coalition colleagues Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil on the issue.

"The strategy has been discussed at cabinet previously, it sets out ways local authorities can better manage congestion.

"But there are no proposals for new taxes.

"It [the strategy] does flag the issue that as more people move to EV [electric vehicle] cars there will be fewer petrol and diesel cars, and the motor tax is going to decrease.

"We are going to look at ways to fill that gap.

"But this is a strategy document, focused on delivering better solutions in towns and cities."

The Taoiseach said he was anti-carbon and not anti-car when it came to the introduction of new charges.

"I think it's very important that we recognise that there is still a need for cars in this country. And many people would have switched to electric vehicles," he said.

"They need roads to drive on our public transport needs good road infrastructure as well.

"And this Government has neared the end of its time in office, and I don't think the Government has a mandate at this stage to come at the Irish people with a range of new charges and taxes."

He added that if some people wanted higher tolls and congestion charges they should that proposition to the people and ask them to vote for it "but I am not in favour of it".

Additional reporting Fiachra Ó Cionnaith