Gaza and EU response
Deputy Gannon asked about Ireland's and the EU's response to the Gaza crisis. The Tánaiste said he wanted time to understand the Israeli perspective, backed a political and humanitarian approach, and said officials were working with UN authorities.
I want to return to the tragedy that is unfolding in Gaza at the minute. The Tánaiste previously mentioned two things which I would like to understand a little more about. My colleague Deputy Cairns asked about the response of the European Union and in particular the response of Ursula von der Leyen, who has completely shut her eyes to what is occurring in terms of the collective punishment and the bombs that are dropping on Palestine at the minute. That is concerning. I think the Irish State held itself well over the weekend. We are asking how that will continue. In particular, the Tánaiste referenced opening up the humanitarian corridors. I would like to know what information the Tánaiste has on humanitarian corridors and how quickly we can open them up. The situation with the siege that is occurring there is medieval at the minute. There is no water or electricity. Cholera will set in fairly soon and there will be a crisis of incredible proportions. What is the Irish State doing to ensure we can open those corridors quickly?
Comment on this
As I said to the Deputy's party leader, I have been interested in and involved in this issue for many years. What happened last Saturday is so significant that we have to take a moment to try to understand the impact on the Israeli psyche and society. This is not to justify anything but just to understand it in terms of the prism through which they have looked at this issue, which is security, security, security, terror, terror, terror. I do not believe in any military solution, ultimately. I believe in a political solution and a two-state solution. I believe in humanitarian interventions. Obviously, we are committed to that. The EU is the biggest donor and will remain the biggest donor in terms of the daily needs of Palestinians, from education to health to food. It is wrong to close off Gaza from fuel, food and so on.
Comment on this
I have asked my officials to work with UN authorities. The situation is very grim and what we are getting back from our UN interlocutors is very grim.