The slaughter in Gaza continues. According to the UN today, more than 500 starving women, men and children have been mowed down by Israeli terrorists while queueing in desperation for food. There is a moral and political responsibility on us to do everything possible to put pressure on the terrorist Israeli state. Two weeks ago, the Government refused to do that by refusing to back the ending of the Central Bank approving the prospectus for the sale of Israeli war bonds. An Taoiseach said that the Central Bank does not approve the bonds but the Governor of the Central Bank, Gabriel Makhlouf, has contradicted this. He said that the Central Bank could decline to approve them if "national restrictive measures" were put in place. In other words, legislation. He said that in his view the law is clear and the Central Bank has to approve the prospectus for them. Does the Minister agree with him? Will the Government now back legislation in this House to stop the prospectus for the sale of Israeli war bonds?

I agree with the Deputy. What is happening in Gaza is reprehensible and shocking. A concern the Government and I have is that because attention is now focused on Israel's war with Iran, it is off Gaza. We cannot allow that to happen. In fairness, no government in Europe has done more than the Irish Government in seeking to advance the protection and cause of the Palestinian people in Gaza. We must recognise that the way we put pressure on Israel is not simply through small pieces of legislation but by trying to bring about a co-ordinated European response, particularly in respect of the EU-Israel trade agreement. We gave a response previously on the proposed legislation. The Government opposed it and voted against it. It would not have been workable. That position has not changed.