The long-delayed and heavily debated Occupied Territories Bill (OTB) is set to return to centre stage “imminently”, according to coalition sources, with Minister Helen McEntee telling the Dáil she expects to bring the Bill to Cabinet in the coming weeks. The move comes as Taoiseach Micheál Martin has written to the President of the European Council calling for the suspension of the EU-Israel Association Agreement following Israel’s “shocking” treatment of activists from a Gaza-bound flotilla.
Some 400 activists taking part in the Global Sumud Flotilla were captured by Israeli forces in international waters. Footage of their arrival in Israel showed far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir taunting detainees as they knelt with their hands tied behind their backs – scenes that drew international criticism and renewed calls for suspension of the trade elements of the EU-Israel Association Agreement.
Minister McEntee has said she that while she is pushing for a vote for a suspension at the next Foreign Affairs Council, Ireland will move forward with the OTB legislation “in the coming weeks, irrespective of whether or not we reach a consensus at a European level”.
However, controversially, the government’s Bill does not include a ban on services, despite strong calls for its inclusion by Senator Frances Black, who first brought forward legislation to ban Irish-Israeli trade in 2018, and an almost united opposition. The government have attributed the exclusion of services to concerns around the legal implications of the measure, but there is widespread acknowledgement that fears over the potential fallout for US-Ireland political and economic relations are also a large factor.
The Bill will no doubt see further clashes between the government and opposition benches in the weeks ahead – but for now, the biggest battle is taking place in ballot boxes across Dublin Central and Galway West, as the weeks of bye-election campaigning and canvassing come to a close.
For readers in either of those constituencies, remember – voting is both a right and a privilege; don’t take it for granted.
Political Update
New Broadcasting Bill Strengthens RTÉ Oversight and Curbs Streaming Platform Levy Plans
The Government has approved the publication of the Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill, with the legislation introducing a significant package of governance, transparency and regulatory reforms for RTÉ, TG4 and Ireland’s wider media sector.
One of the most notable developments is the effective shelving of the proposed levy on streaming platforms. While the Bill still allows for a European Works levy to be introduced in future, it can now only be imposed by Coimisiún na Meán following a direct ministerial instruction and the completion of impact assessments, significantly reducing the likelihood of the measure proceeding in the near term.
The legislation also strengthens oversight of RTÉ following ongoing scrutiny around transparency and governance at the broadcaster. Under the reforms, the Comptroller and Auditor General will become RTÉ’s auditor, bringing the broadcaster under greater State oversight and enabling increased scrutiny by the Public Accounts Committee.
The Bill also expands the powers of Coimisiún na Meán, including extending broadcasting rules to non-broadcast content such as podcasts and online programming produced by RTÉ and TG4. Additional reforms include stricter remuneration reporting requirements, strengthened governance obligations for broadcaster boards and directors general, and enhanced powers for Coimisiún na Meán in overseeing Ireland’s online safety framework.
Economic Update
EU Forecast Predicts Irish Economic Contraction in 2026 Amid Inflation Concerns
The European Commission’s Spring 2026 Economic Forecast has projected that the Irish economy will contract by 1.2% in 2026, following exceptionally strong GDP growth of 12.3% in 2025. The decline is largely attributed to the frontloading of pharmaceutical exports last year, which significantly boosted economic output in 2025.
Despite the projected downturn, the Commission expects underlying domestic economic activity to remain resilient, with the Irish economy forecast to return to growth in 2027 at a rate of 3.4%. However, the outlook remains challenged by rising energy costs, which are expected to drive inflation higher and place pressure on household incomes and overall economic growth.
Inflation is forecast to rise to 3.5% in 2026, compared with 2.1% in 2025, before easing to 2.6% in 2027. Meanwhile, unemployment is expected to increase slightly over the coming years, rising from 4.7% in 2025 to 4.8% in 2026 and 4.9% in 2027.
The Commission also noted that Ireland’s public finances remain broadly positive, although it warned of significant risks surrounding the sustainability of corporation tax revenues, which continue to play a major role in the State’s finances.
Sustainability Update
Oireachtas Committee Warns Ireland Unlikely to Meet 2030 Offshore Wind Targets
The Oireachtas Committee on Climate, Environment and Energy has published a report outlining significant challenges facing the delivery of offshore renewable energy (ORE) projects in Ireland, warning that the State is now extremely unlikely to meet its 2030 offshore wind targets.
The report identifies a range of legal, organisational and technical barriers slowing project delivery, with lengthy planning and regulatory timelines highlighted as a major concern for developers and investors. Among the examples cited was the North Irish Sea Array project off the coasts of Dublin, Meath and Louth, where developers waited almost a year after submitting a 10,000-page application before receiving a request for further information.
Committee members stressed that under-resourcing across key agencies, including An Coimisiún Pleanála, the CRU, MARA and the National Parks and Wildlife Service, is contributing to delays and undermining investor confidence in Ireland’s offshore wind sector. The report also recommended increasing the number of judges to help accelerate decision-making timelines.
Committee Cathaoirleach Naoise Ó Múirí said it was vital that barriers to Ireland achieving greater energy security and resilience were addressed, adding that Ireland has the potential to meet up to 80% of electricity demand from renewables given its strong offshore wind resources.
Around the world
Brussels Weighs New Measures to Limit Chinese Industrial Imports
The European Commission is preparing a tougher trade strategy towards China amid growing concern across Europe about the impact of heavily subsidised Chinese imports on domestic industries. According to reports, the Commission is drawing up plans for a “more assertive and effective trade defence policy”, including accelerated work on a proposed “overcapacity instrument” designed to limit the volume of low-cost, state-backed Chinese goods entering the EU market.
The issue is expected to be discussed by senior EU officials on May 29 ahead of a summit of EU leaders in June. Commission spokesperson Paula Pinho said the debate reflects broader geopolitical and economic challenges facing Europe and stressed the need for a coordinated European response.
The discussions come at a politically sensitive time for Germany, whose automotive and manufacturing sectors remain heavily reliant on the Chinese market. However, France and several other EU member states have pushed for a tougher approach to reduce Europe’s dependence on China, warning that subsidised Chinese imports could severely damage key sectors of the European economy.