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Dáil
‹ Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation

Gaza mobile maternity unit

Summary

Deputy McGuinness sought urgent action to get an Irish-funded mobile maternity unit from Egypt into Gaza and urged unilateral action against Israel. The Minister said the blockage lay with Israeli authorities, not Egypt or Irish officials, and agreed to engage directly with counterparts.

Conor D McGuinness Deputy Conor D. McGuinness Sinn Féin

I raise the mobile maternity unit fundraised for by Gaeil ar son Gaza in west Waterford. It is now stuck in Egypt, prevented from entering Gaza by the Israeli occupation forces. I understand Irish diplomats in Egypt are seeking a resolution but will the Minister urgently intervene with Egypt, the UN and all relevant agencies to get this Irish-funded and much-needed mobile maternity unit into Gaza? In the same week that we saw the Global Sumud Flotilla illegally interdicted and humanitarian volunteers including 14 Irish citizens - who have since been released - detained, mistreated and denied proper consular access, it is clear that this is part of a wider pattern. I refer to Israel's genocide in Gaza, its destruction of hospitals, its murder of medics and its attacks on ambulances. This attack on medical and humanitarian facilities is part and parcel of the genocide. This punitive and exterminationist regime has to be called to heel. Ireland must act decisively. Will the Government make time next week to pass the occupied territories Bill, goods and services included?

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John McGuinness An Leas-Cheann Comhairle Fianna Fáil

Thank you, Deputy.

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Conor D McGuinness Deputy Conor D. McGuinness Sinn Féin

As Israel continues to thumb its nose at the international community, bask in its impunity and gloat in the face of the deepening humanitarian crisis it has created-----

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John McGuinness An Leas-Cheann Comhairle Fianna Fáil

Thank you, Deputy.

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Conor D McGuinness Deputy Conor D. McGuinness Sinn Féin

-----will the Government finally concede that it is time for us to take unilateral action?

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John McGuinness An Leas-Cheann Comhairle Fianna Fáil

The Minister, please.

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Conor D McGuinness Deputy Conor D. McGuinness Sinn Féin

Our so-called European partners are continuing to enable and protect Israel in its colossal crimes against humanity.

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My experience and what I saw when I was on the ground in Rafah at the beginning of the year was not inaction by the Egyptian Government or our own officials. It was a preventing of aid or these types of supports by the Israeli Government. I am happy to engage directly with my team on the ground to see what the current situation is. I am happy to engage with the Minister, Mr. Abdelatty, my counterpart in Egypt whom I met there, to see if there is any possibility. My experience is that this decision is taken solely by the Israeli authorities. As we have seen and as I have said a number of times today, they are prohibiting and preventing this type of life-saving treatment from getting in, which is completely unacceptable. I have also been very clear that I will bring forward legislation on the occupied territories Bill in the coming weeks.

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