I have heard the Taoiseach condemn the killing spree carried out by Hamas in Israel, and rightly so. I have also heard him condemn the nightmare being visited on the people of Palestine and Gaza by Israel, and rightly so. I am very proud that Ireland, as a country, has the conviction to call out war crimes, including those being committed by Israel, while other nations declare their support for these actions. The question people ask me most often is what we, as a country, can do to stop this murder and slaughter of innocent civilians and of innocent children. Ireland has a very influential voice on the world stage. The Taoiseach has a very influential voice on the world stage. We need to use that voice. Let us reach out to our neighbours in the UK and ask them to stop sending weapons to Israel to support these war crimes. Let us reach out to our close friends in the US and ask them to question their actions and stance. The only way to stop the murder of innocent civilians is with peace. Let us use our voice to find that pathway to peace.

We are only a small country and we certainly are not a major military or economic power but we do have a voice and we are at the table when it comes to the European Union and the UN. We are certainly using that voice in the international bodies of which we are members. When the moment is opportune, these are the conversations we are going to want to have with our American allies and our British friends. We all accept that, after 75 years of war and terrorism, there is no military solution to the Arab-Israeli conflict. There can only be a solution based on peace, security and justice.