I acknowledge the trip to Belfast on Tuesday by the Seanad Special Select Committee on the Withdrawal of the UK from the EU. The trip was ably chaired by Senator Joe O'Reilly, deputising for Senator Neale Richmond, and present were Senators Black, Paul Daly, Ó Donnghaile, Craughwell, and I. We met many businesses and other organisations such as the Northern Ireland Food and Drink Association, Manufacturing NI, the Ulster Farmers Union, Retail NI, the Freight Transport Association, the Federation of Small Businesses and the Northern Ireland Retail Consortium. We also met many civic groups such as the initiative for civic space, civic nationalism, Belfast City Council's Brexit committee, assistant chief constable of the PSNI, Mr. Tim Mairs, as well as academics and media folk.

It was a full and busy schedule but it highlighted the complexity of the situation at the moment, as well as the fears and concerns of all the people who will be impacted. It gave us an indication of the diversity of opinion and the risks of oversimplifying this problem. We talked about trade, human rights, policing, security, agriculture and freight and the issues were complicated, which meant we often struggled to get a grasp of what the right solution would be. A lot of knowledge was gained from the visit and credit must be given to all the secretarial staff who made it happen and who put the plans in place.

The most moving meeting we had was the final meeting of the day at Elizabeth House on the Holywood Road in Belfast with the Training for Women Network, TWN. The chief executive, Norma Shearer, and the chair, Patricia Lewsley-Mooney, welcomed us and introduced us to a group of staff - women from both the loyalist and republican communities. These women had been directly involved in the conflict and directly impacted by the horrors of the Troubles and the atrocities that took place. They shared stories of the devastation to them, their families, their communities and their lives. At one stage we were speechless when one lady stood up and recounted, with tears streaming down her face, her horror as she was instructed to take her son to a punishment shooting. When Senator Craughwell asked her why on earth she would take her son to a shooting, she said it was because if she did not, there would have been a summary execution of her child. We were dumbfounded and astounded by this.

They tried to relate to us the horrors of living in these communities, which were completely out of control, and trying to bring up their families in that situation. The important thing for us to note is that these women have had an impact on the lives of hundreds of other women. They have engaged women by bringing together women from completely diverse backgrounds and communities, training them and giving them space and support to lift their families out of the cycle of apathy, alienation and despair.

Leader, these women have given hope and inspiration to many people in diverse communities. I suggest that we invite them to Leinster House to tell their stories, share their experiences, and inform those who did not live through this and those who do not understand it just how sensitive everyone needs to be to the cultures, identities, pain and hurt, and to dealing with rebuilding. On Tuesday, these women told us, in their own words, that they were the glue that held the families and communities together during the Troubles. I have no doubt that they will be the glue that will connect the blocks in the rebuilding process. They need all of our support and assistance to ensure that their fantastic work is maintained and expanded.

Well said.

Hear, hear.

I, too, agree with the view expressed by Senator Marshall that we need to treat a lot of the issues in Northern Ireland with sensitivity. The comments made by Karen Bradley in the House of Commons yesterday were insensitive, out of touch and caused hurt and offence. However, I recognise that she has said she will go back to the house and correct the record of the oral questions, which I welcome. When I consider what is happening in Westminster I realise that she is just listening to one voice. She is listening to the DUP and other MPs. A nationalist voice is missing from Westminster, that of the Sinn Féin MPs who are not taking up their seats. We lost three SDLP MPs as well. Mark Durkan, Alasdair McDonnell and Margaret Ritchie carried that moderate nationalist voice, which is missing. We must understand that without that voice comments will be made like those based on what Karen Bradley is listening to. She has caused a lot of hurt and pain to families but I acknowledge, and in politics we should acknowledge, that she has said she will correct the record of the house, which is welcome albeit late. Both here and in the Dáil we talk about British politicians not understanding Northern Ireland. A vast majority of politicians in this country have no clue what goes on in Northern Ireland and sometimes their statements cause hurt and offence. Maybe we must consider why this happens and be aware that in Westminster that nationalist voice, especially from Northern Ireland, is very much missing.

I find it remarkable that the lack of Sinn Féin presence in Westminster would be used to excuse the comments made by the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland yesterday. Her comments were not due to her listening only to one voice. I contend that she is listening not only to the DUP but to the layers of establishment that exist in London. Her comments go right to the heart of that establishment.

I want to comment on the Eurovision song contest. Israel's continued abuse of international law damages the two-state solution. Added to that, Israel is using the Eurovision as a way to present its prettier face, and to whitewash and distract attention from war crimes. Two days after the Eurovision final last year Israeli forces killed 62 Palestinians in Gaza. Tomorrow, there will be a protest at RTÉ as the national broadcaster is set to announce Ireland's entry. There should be no entry from Ireland. Time and again the international community remains silent. The routine statements of concern must translate into sanction. Israel cannot be allowed to act with impunity when committing murder. The Irish Government has a role to play. It must take the lead and send the Israeli ambassador home. Ireland must also recognise the state of Palestine, as approved by the Dáil over five years ago. The passing of the Control of Economic Activity (Occupied Territories) Bill in the Seanad is a momentous step towards banning the import and the sale of goods, services and natural resources from Israeli settlements. On the issue of the Eurovision 2019, Palestinian artists have appealed for a boycott of the song contest. I appeal to all artists here in Ireland to do the same. Israel is an apartheid State and Eurovision 2019 whitewashes apartheid.

Senator Leyden may be leaving the Chamber at this minute but I must say that he is eminently qualified to be appointed as curator of all of the artefacts that are in the vaults of the banks. He would bring a breadth of experience to the role. It would be research in terms of the whole area of living wills.

I would love to search the vaults; it would be lovely to get the General's paintings.