Gaza and UN response
Deputy Ó Murchú called for stronger action over the violence in Gaza and asked how Ireland would use the UN, EU and US relationship. The Tánaiste said the issue had been discussed, the Foreign Minister had made a strong statement, and Ireland would co-ordinate further EU and UN action.
I bring up the issue of the slaughter of Palestinians in Gaza. We need to accept the disparity between a huge military power like Israel and the Palestinian people. We have also had the de facto annexation and stealing of Palestinian land. We can only consider this a continuity of a plan for Israeli expansion. What will the Government propose in relation to our seat on the UN Security Council and in relation to the EU, which took action on the Crimea? How will we use our relationship with Joe Biden? We need a change in how the administration in America operates. This needs to be done. South African apartheid was broken by international solidarity and sanctions. It became a pariah state. This needs to be done for Israel and everything has to be on the agenda, even consideration in relation to the ambassador here.
Comment on this
I will not continue interrupting. The time for everybody is up to one minute. If Deputies can be briefer, that is great. We are using up time on Deputies' colleagues.
Comment on this
This matter was discussed earlier. To recap, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Coveney, has made a clear and strong statement on this matter on behalf of the Government. We will use our influence on the UN Security Council, which will meet on this quite soon. The Israeli ambassador has been called in for some very difficult discussions with the Minister. We intend to co-ordinate further action at an EU level.