Tánaiste to update Cabinet on Occupied Territories Bill

Tánaiste Micheál Martin is to update Cabinet on the Occupied Territories Bill, which aims to ban trade between Ireland and Israel's illegal settlements on Palestinian land.

On foot of new advice from the Attorney General, it is expected the Tánaiste will seek approval for a review on how best to create what is termed a "legal pathway forward" to introduce a law which abides by both the Constitution and EU law.

He believes that the Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice, which concluded that Israel’s continued presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT) is unlawful, offers a new avenue to progress the legislation - even though international trade is a competence of the EU.

If agreed by Cabinet, the review would use the Attorney General’s advice to assess the best approach on how to avoid a breach of EU law or the Irish Constitution.

It would be expected that a memo would be brought back to the Government on the next steps - although there is no timeline for that to happen.

The ICJ Advisory Opinion found that there is a duty on all States to prevent trade or any other assistance to the settlements.

Ireland co-sponsored a resolution adopted by the UN General Assembly on 18 September 2024 which seeks to implement the ICJ's advisory opinion.

The resolution outlines the obligations arising for Israel, all states, and international organisations from Israel's unlawful presence in the OPT, including on trade.

Ryan to seek Cabinet approval for Luas Finglas project

Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan will seek Cabinet approval for the Luas Finglas project to go to planning which, if prioritised, could be in operation by 2031.

The plan seeks to connect the existing Green line at Broombridge in Cabra via four new stops: St Helena's, Finglas Village, St Margaret's Road and Charlestown.

It is estimated that 60,000 people could be serviced on the line which would run for nearly 4 kilometres.

If approved, it would enable Transport Infrastructure Ireland to seek planning consent from An Bord Pleanála for its development.

The Luas Finglas will be mostly off-road, segregated from traffic, passing close to areas identified for new transport-oriented development, with the potential to open up lands for about 10,000 new homes.

The journey time from Charlestown, the furthest station, to College Green would be about 30 minutes, shaving about 17 minutes off the morning time commute by car.

It is estimated that the new line will take about 440,000 private car journeys along the route off the roads.

Donnelly to confirm reductions in spinal surgery waiting times

It is predicted that there will be just 20 paediatric spinal patients on the active waiting list for longer than four months by the end of this year, as opposed to 86 at the beginning of 2024, according to data to be brought to Cabinet today by the Minister for Health.

Stephen Donnelly will say that reductions in surgical waiting times are being achieved in spite of an increase in additions to the list due to significantly higher numbers of outpatient clinics being held.

A number of initiatives are under way to reduce the backlog, with patients offered treatments abroad in Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital in New York, Great Ormond Street Hospital in London, and Portland Hospital UK.

Twenty patients are confirmed for treatment abroad, as of September 2024, and some have already had surgery.

Any child travelling for surgery receives a comprehensive support package, including business class flights for the child and one adult; accommodation; travel insurance; and funding to cover expenses. A second adult can also travel.

Four children's hospitals in the greater Dublin area, along with the National Orthopaedic Hospital Cappagh are projected to carry out 557 procedures in 2024, an increase of 93 procedures compared to 2023.

The minister will say there has been a significant increase in the number of outpatients being seen, with 335 patients scheduled across seven clinics since April 2024, in addition to the patients who are being seen at existing clinics.

Minister Donnelly is also expected to tell his Cabinet colleagues that some children are still waiting too long for care, but that any child on the active waitlist for longer than four months after Christmas who is clinically suitable, will be offered surgery overseas.