The Order of Business is No. 1, motion re appointment of member to the Committee on Parliamentary Privileges and Oversight, to be taken on the conclusion of the Order of Business, without debate; No. 2, the Gas (Amendment) Bill 2023 – Second Stage, to be taken at 3.15 p.m. and to conclude at 5 p.m., if not previously concluded, with the time allocated for the opening remarks of the Minister not to exceed ten minutes, group spokespersons not to exceed ten minutes each, time may be shared, all other Senators not to exceed four minutes each, and the Minister to be given no less than ten minutes to reply to the debate; No. 3, the Social Welfare and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2023 – Second Stage, to be taken at 5 p.m. and to conclude at 6.30 p.m., if not previously concluded, with the time allocated for the opening remarks of the Minister not to exceed ten minutes, group spokespersons not to exceed ten minutes each, time may be shared, all other Senators not to exceed four minutes each, and the Minister to be given no less than ten minutes to reply to the debate; and No. 4, Local Government (Mayor of Limerick) and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2023 – Committee Stage (Resumed), to be taken at 6.30 p.m. and to adjourn at 8.30 p.m., if not previously concluded.

I welcome the comments of the Tánaiste and a number of Ministers since yesterday evening and their forthright assessment of the current activities of the Israeli Government and the Israeli Defense Forces in the continued attack on the Gaza strip, particularly the ground offensive now under way in the Rafah region. The clear comments from the Tánaiste on behalf of the Government that, if this action continues at the intensity of the bombardment that has started and that is the stated intention of Prime Minister Netanyahu, it will amount to war crimes. This morning, I met the Palestinian ambassador to Ireland. She set out in vivid detail the appalling conditions that the Palestinian people are suffering. The scale of their deprivation is palpable, as is their hunger, the lack of shelter and the continued bombardment. Yesterday, Israel celebrated its efforts to free two hostages. We all condemn the taking of civilian hostages, but at what price were those two hostages liberated? Seventy Palestinian people were killed. There is a biblical term about how an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth is appropriate, but it is not. The scale of one side versus the other is outrageous in this sense. There is no degree of proportionately. Prime Minister Netanyahu, on behalf of his Government, continues to state their ambition to see the destruction, dismantlement and obliteration of Hamas, but it is now clear that the only way that can happen is through the destruction and obliteration of the Palestinian people. This needs to be understood by all. Hamas cannot be taken out in isolation without taking out the entire Palestinian people. To do that is to victimise an entire race of people.

That does constitute war crimes. That does constitute genocide. The sad thing about it is people are standing back idly, to some extent, those who can really make a difference. I would hope that every Member of this House and anyone within diplomatic circles who travels to the United States over the coming weeks, in particular to celebrate the festivities of St. Patrick, makes a really co-ordinated effort at every possible opportunity to highlight that assessment by and on behalf of the Irish people. We do not have the military capability but we have the ability to speak out, condemn what is happening and try to seek support from others to come to that conclusion.