As the conflict in Gaza and Lebanon increases and worsens, our thoughts are with all those killed, wounded, bereaved or displaced in that conflict. We must do more to stop the war and to impose effective sanctions on Israel.

I met yesterday with members of Irish Healthcare Workers for Palestine, who are doing incredible work trying to bring wounded children out of Gaza. They impressed upon me the need for us in Ireland to do more. We can pass the occupied territories Bill. I have welcomed the positive signs from the Government on the occupied territories Bill. I have engaged with Senator Frances Black, who has engaged with the Tánaiste. He has made the commitment to her that the Bill, with Government amendments, will go to the foreign affairs committee the week of 4 November. I have a specific question which I would be glad if the Minister would pass it on to the Tánaiste, who is not here today. Will that committee meeting be a select committee? If so, do we have a prospect of passing the occupied territories Bill, even if that the last sitting week of the Dáil? There is a way to do it and the Government would have the Opposition’s support in doing it. I offer that to the Minister.

This situation in the area, not just in Gaza, is absolutely despicable. It is a wasteland where thousands and thousands of people have been murdered by the Israeli army. I do not call it the Israel Defense Forces anymore because this is not a defensive action. Let us not forget about the West Bank and what is happening there, with attacks by settlers supported by the Israeli army, and the ongoing brutal attack on Lebanon, and not just south Lebanon. We have seen an expansion of that and bombings in northern Lebanon. We must recognise, as the Deputy and I do, the need for all hostages to be returned and again condemn the reprehensible action of Hamas on 7 October 2023.

I will pass this on to the Cabinet for discussion. The Tánaiste has been actively engaged, as the Deputy is aware, with Senator Black. He is in Paris today in connection with the situation in Lebanon. I expect that if the Bill goes to Committee Stage in the Dáil, it would be a select committee. I assure Deputy Bacik that post her intervention today I will speak directly to the Tánaiste and get that clarification for her.

Another day, another massacre by Israel in Gaza. In the latest attack, 17 people were killed in a school-turned-shelter in Nuseirat. Among those murdered are Mamdouh, 11 months old; a five-year old, Malak; a seven-year-old, Hamad; an eight-year-old, Mahmoud; Moatassem, nine years old; and many others. Clearly, Israel is not going to stop murdering, killing and massacring until it is stopped. We need sanctions and we need them urgently. Could the foreign affairs committee meet next week to do Committee Stage of the occupied territories Bill? The Dáil is not required to meet. The committee could meet, which would move the Bill along and allow the real possibility that it Bill could be passed before the end of the Dáil term.

Deputy Boyd Barrett will know this. All of us share the revulsion at what is happening there. I cannot and do not set the times or dates for committees to meet. Deputy Paul Murphy can shake his head all he likes.

Come on.

Could it be facilitated?

I am trying to be constructive with Deputy Boyd Barrett on this. I take his point and will raise it directly. I cannot give a commitment because it would be unfair of me to do so. I will, however, raise the point directly with the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Minister for Foreign Affairs, who, as the Deputy knows, is in Paris today representing our country in connection with the situation in Lebanon and the Middle East. Ireland has led. It has been one of the leaders in the European Union with regard to our response, as a Government, an Oireachtas and a country, in calling out Israel. The recognition of the State of Palestine was a significant step forward. We have not been laggards; we have been leaders in this. I will raise the point the Deputy has brought to the floor of the House today and the Minister for Foreign Affairs will revert to him.