The Taoiseach has described comments made by a former Justice Minister about the Occupied Territories Bill as ‘shocking’.

Alan Shatter has compared the proposed trade bans to laws from Nazi Germany.

The former Fine Gael TD - who is a member of the Ireland Israel Alliance - said a ban on trade between Ireland and the Israeli occupied Palestinian territories is 'irrelevant'.

However, Taoiseach Micheál Martin, says the Bill is 'symbolic and modest', given the crimes committed by Israel.

" That's shocking because what we're now witnessing in terms of the Israeli Government's announcement overnight, we're essentially looking at a concentration camp idea in Gaza.

"And in fairness, former senior Israeli politicians have come out and condemned the proposal by the Israeli Government.

"In our view, it's a war crime, and I think, former Minister Shatter, should perhaps focus on that a bit more."

NO REPRO FEE 26/05/2024 Dublin, Ireland. The Ireland Israel Alliance organised a march from Stephen's Green to Dáil Éireann this afternoon, in support of Israel. Photo shows: former Minister for Justice Alan Shatter speaking to the crowd. Photograph: Leah Farrell / Photocall Ireland

Mr Shatter, is due to address an Oireachtas Committee meeting this afternoon where he'll raise concerns about the Bill.

The author and solicitor, said the proposed laws compare to those brought in under Hitler during World War Two.

"It's really a sort of a 'Father Ted-like' provision of no relevance of any description to resolving conflict between Israelis and Palestinians.

"But, it does have the potential to do enormous damage to Ireland, to our economy, and to our reputation.

"Despite the perception created by campaigning activists and political parties, it'll be of no real benefit of any description to Palestinians."

However, Tánaiste Simon Harris and Fine Gael leader, says Alan Shatter is wrong to describe the proposed laws as "Father Ted like provision" is wrong.

"Well, Father Ted was a very funny program that I enjoyed watching growing up.

"There's nothing humorous or funny about genocide, and there's nothing humorous or funny about children queuing in Gaza today for food and water, who are at risk of being shot dead by the IDF (Israeli Defence Forces).

"We can very clearly in this country and in international law differentiate between the actions of a government and the people of a country.

"I deplore, antisemitism, so does everybody in this country."