Sinn Féin Leader Mary Lou McDonald has urged An Taoiseach Simon Harris to expedite the passage of the Occupied Territories Bill, which aims to ban trade with Israeli-occupied Palestinian territories, before the upcoming general election. McDonald emphasized the urgent need for action to avoid further suffering in Gaza, calling for immediate sanctions against Israel. Despite the government signaling support for the Bill, Tánaiste Micheál Martin acknowledged that substantial amendments are necessary, making its passage before the election unlikely. The coalition leaders have agreed on a polling date in late November, after which unpassed legislation will lapse. While there is broad political support for the Bill, including from all parties, the timeline for enactment remains uncertain due to the required legal adjustments. The situation highlights the tensions between legislative processes and urgent humanitarian concerns regarding ongoing violence in the region.