What the Tánaiste has said to Deputy Gannon is contradictory. He did not answer the question.

I will return to the issue of the triple lock. I listened with interest to the debates on Leaders' Questions. Although the Tánaiste says we need to do this in order to stop Russia and others having a veto on Security Council resolutions, he has never mentioned, nor does he seem to have a problem with, the fact that the US has vetoed 34 resolutions against the conduct of Israel in Palestine. As recently as 18 October, the US vetoed a UN resolution in support of a humanitarian pause in Gaza. Will the Tánaiste comment on that? It seems to me that the Government has double standards. The removal of the triple lock is all about removing any obstacle to Ireland becoming much more cosy with the European Union, the US bloc and the geopolitical shapes that are being thrown in the world at the moment.

Thank you.

It is not about how much more dangerous the world has become but what side of that danger the Government want to be on.

The Tánaiste to respond.

Instead of being on the side of decency and humanitarianism, the Government wants to take the side-----

Deputy.

-----of the US.

The Deputy is way over time.

When Mr. Biden stood in this House and kissed babies, little did we think-----

Deputy, we are way over time.

-----he would be dropping houses on their heads and phosphorous bombs on their skins in Palestine.

Deputy, I understand the passion but you are way over time. It is eating into the time of others. I ask for co-operation.

I happen to think the European Union is a completely different entity from Russia, particularly in terms of the European Union's commitment-----

I asked about America.

The Deputy made a comment about us cosying up to the EU.

That was not my question. A comment is not a question.

I will answer your question if you will allow me, through the Chair. I want to make this fundamental point. There is a hell of a difference between the European Union and Russia. The Deputy equated them. In my comments earlier, I mentioned the United States. It is one of the veto powers. I said that in my speech yesterday. I instanced the paralysis-----

The Tánaiste did not seem to have a problem with it vetoing a resolution on 18 October.

Deputy, please.

Stop interrupting.

I instanced the paralysis of the Security Council in terms of getting anything done at UN security level.

The Tánaiste did not.

I did so in my contribution yesterday. It is one of the reasons for this suggestion and proposal. I will come back to the House with proposed amendments to the legislation that governs the triple lock. It is about bringing back a degree of independence to Irish foreign policy, restoring a degree of sovereignty and decision-making in respect of our troops and not having any of the permanent five members, because of their geopolitical agendas, being-----

Thank you, Tánaiste.

-----in a position to veto what we might like to do in the western Balkans or in the Middle East.