Free Republic

While Putin's war machine inflicts death and destruction on women and children in Ukraine, the runt of the Irish parliament returns to its favourite sport - Israel hating. Senator Frances Black is an ultra nationalist politician and a member of the Upper House. Though nominally an Independent, she is closely aligned with Sinn Féin. She seeks to portray herself as a defender of Palestinian Arabs, but every so often the mask slips and exposes herself for the old school antisemite that she really is. She introduced an "Occupied Territories" (sic) Bill to criminalise Irish Jews and allies, for seeking to...

Until recently, Ireland did not blaze much of a trail when it came to human rights at home. The 20th century saw plenty of shameful treatment of vulnerable people, normalized by a deep and often blind devotion to a religious institution that preached a message of compassion. […] The 21st century has seen some improvements but there is still a long way to go. Recent events in the United States and ensuing Black Lives Matter protests have shifted the focus once again to our State’s reliance on Direct Provision. We are no gold star winners either when it comes to...

The State could face infringement proceedings by the EU or a third party if a Bill that would ban imports from Israeli settlements in occupied Palestinian territories is passed, the European Commission has warned. A Government official privately sought the advice of the Commission’s trade directorate last week on the proposed legislation, which is sponsored by Independent Senator Frances Black and passed its first vote in the Seanad in July with the support of Fianna Fáil, Sinn Féin, Labour and some independents. Fine Gael opposes the passage of the Control of Economic Activity (Occupied Territories) Bill 2018 on the basis...