Gaza ceasefire follow-up
Deputy Carthy reiterated concern over the Gaza death toll and welcomed Ireland’s call for a ceasefire, asking what steps would follow if the EU failed to act. The Taoiseach said Ireland remained in discussions with like-minded EU states and had not yet received the drugs report, which would be handled through Cabinet and Oireachtas channels.
After 65 days of brutal Israeli assaults on Gaza, more than 18,000 Palestinians have been killed, including more than 6,000 children. It must stop. The world must force Israel to stop. I welcome that the Irish Government has joined Spain, Belgium and Malta in urging the European Union to call for a ceasefire. The failure of the EU to adopt that position already has undermined Europe's credibility as a voice for peace, international law and conflict resolution. I hope EU leaders will finally act. However, if they do not, will the Taoiseach commit to working with those other signatories and other states, inside and outside the EU, to bring forward measures to put a price on Israel's blatant breaches of international law? There must be diplomatic, economic and trade penalties for a regime that is breaching international law in such a blatant manner.
Comment on this
On the issue raised by Deputy Conway-Walsh, I absolutely accept there is a challenge for farmers with regard to ACRES payments, particularly farmers who have worked with their advisers and undertaken the measures to be implemented this year. As I have said here already, payments will commence next week on 18 December for two thirds of all ACRES general participants. Those payments are in the final stages of being processed for this year. Due to the additional complexity associated with the co-operation project or CP stream, payments for ACRES CP participants are being progressed and are scheduled and will begin to issue in February 2024. I will bring the point the Deputy raised about advanced payments back to the Minister, Deputy McConalogue.
Comment on this
On the Citizens' Assembly on Drugs Use, I have not received the report yet. The practice would be to present it to the Cabinet and the Oireachtas and then refer it to an Oireachtas joint committee for further consideration. I am not sure whether that would be the committee on health or on justice, or both in the circumstances, but we will make that decision once the report is received. I would usually meet the chairperson as well and have a chance to talk through the report.
On Deputy Carthy's question, we are in discussions with like-minded EU states in relation to Gaza, Israel and Palestine. We are very strongly of the view that any action, if taken, needs to be on a multilateral basis and not unilaterally to be effective.