On the wider legal international picture, does the Tánaiste agree that what happened in terms of detaining people in international waters is a breach of international law?

Yes, I do. I spoke with my Spanish counterpart this morning in relation to this. The full answer I should give is that we are determining all of the facts at the moment in an evolving situation. I am very clear that peace activists trying to highlight a humanitarian catastrophe and bring aid to the people of Gaza were apprehended and detained by Israeli authorities.

As I commented earlier, and in a statement issued with 14 other European countries in recent days, we will consider all actions available under international law to seek, first, information and, second, accountability for this action. Today should not be a day about me or anybody in the Irish Government doing anything provocative, it should be about trying to prioritise the well-being and safety of our citizens. That is my first priority.

While I would not necessarily advocate that the Government would do something provocative for the sake of it, ultimately the flotilla is a consequence of what is happening internationally. There has to be a firm response from the Irish Government and from the international community.

As a follow-up to the previous question, we rightly recognised the State of Palestine. I welcome that other countries have done so too. That has to mean something in practical terms. Does the Tánaiste accept that even if these ships were not in international waters – if they were in Palestinian waters – that Palestinian waters are sovereign?

Yes, we recognise the State of Palestine. We are now one of more than 150 countries globally to do so.

I think Deputy Ó Laoghaire understood me, but I have been very clear in the statements I have issued on behalf of the Irish Government with 14 other European countries that international law matters, it has to be upheld, and there has to be accountability. What I am saying very much mirrors what my Spanish counterpart said in recent hours, which I discussed with him, that there is an important sequencing to this. When Irish citizens are detained abroad, priority number one has to be the welfare and well-being of those citizens. I know the Deputy does not, but nobody should take that as saying I do not believe there should be accountability or the pursuit of this matter under international law; I do.