I join in welcoming the people from the Irish Deaf Society in the Visitors' Gallery this morning. While this side of the House will probably not support the proposed amendment to the Order of Business, I assure them that we are doing everything possible to see if funding can be restored to the advocacy group. It is critical to the organisation. All Members on this side of the House are doing everything possible to correct that wrong.

I join Senator Bacik in condemning the appalling killing of four children on the beach in Gaza yesterday. I hope the short window of opportunity presented by the ceasefire today will be used productively by all sides to bring an end to the appalling killings we have witnessed in recent weeks. It beggars belief that so many lives are being put at risk and that people will not get around a table and discuss the problems. We will urge the new Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to put pressure on both sides to get on with the peace talks and bring about a lasting solution for the people of Gaza and Israel.

Like other speakers, I thank the Leader, the Cathaoirleach and all the staff in the House for their courtesy and support. Everybody is looking forward to a break, but we must be very conscious of safety this summer, including safety on the roads, safety on farms, where too many lives are lost through accidents, and safety on the water. If we keep those issues in mind, everybody will have an enjoyable summer and return refreshed for a busy autumn political session.

Like Senators Bacik and Mullins, I wish to refer to the Gaza issue and move an amendment to the Order of Business, that either today or tomorrow we invite either the Taoiseach, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade or the Minister of State with responsibility for European affairs to the House to discuss the issue. There was a special meeting of the European Council yesterday and it discussed Gaza in its conclusions. It is important that we discuss it. We can convene a committee to discuss Garth Brooks but we cannot get a Minister to the House to discuss this issue.

Hear, hear.

I realise Garth Brooks's heart might be breaking currently, but it is not a life-or-death situation. Given that Gaza was so important that it had to be discussed at the European Council yesterday, we should discuss it here. As has been mentioned, there is a five-hour ceasefire from 10 a.m. today during which Gazans will be racing to markets, shops and banks in an effort to rescue some semblance of normality after the vicious onslaught of attacks on them. The European Council states in its conclusions that it condemns the firing of rockets from Gaza into Israel and the indiscriminate targeting of civilians. It goes on to say that Israel has the right to protect its population from these types of attack and that in doing so it must act proportionately and ensure the protection of civilians at all times. Members have already mentioned the loss of the four children who were targeted and killed on a beach yesterday. That was an indiscriminate targeting of civilians. If that were to happen in Bundoran, Skerries, Tramore, Inchydoney or Kilkee, we would be dragging Ministers across hot coals to discuss it.

Hear, hear.

To put matters into context, 227 Gazans have been killed since the military operation was launched by Israel and the UN has stated that the majority have been civilians. The blanket attacks that have been carried out in recent days have not been in any way proportionate. Gaza is a fenced-in prison with no escape from the firing and bombing. All attacks on human life are to be deplored. It important that we discuss the European Council's recommendations in detail and the Irish response. We all know the song, "Do They Know it's Christmas?" As we meet here today and talk about our summer recess we should spare a thought for the children and people in Gaza. It is important that we discuss this issue either today or tomorrow as a matter of priority and that a Minister be invited to the House for it.

Hear, hear.

Senator, we can deal with your proposed amendment for today, but you will have to talk to the Leader regarding tomorrow. The Government has tabled a motion regarding tomorrow's business.