I join the comments on the incredible disappointment regarding the decision on Bessborough. It was on the exact same day that the Government chose to vote down our legislation that would have expanded the remit and possibility for interventions in relation to inappropriate burial. A line that I still find shocking was that "high mortality rates could sadly sometimes be a feature of historical congregated settings". The context here is that, in Bessborough, there was a 75% mortality rate among children in one year. That is shocking. On the day in question, planning permission was granted. It is a disgrace.

I join with Senator Clonan in saying it is disappointing if our Minister for foreign affairs is not able to clearly identify the question of international law. We see in RTÉ's reports international experts talking about the perception that much of Europe - they do not include Ireland in it at the moment - seems to be abandoning references to international law. We need to be clear. I have repeatedly tried to raise human rights abuses in Iran with the foreign affairs committee. Regardless of one's position on that, international law is the safeguard for us all. This came up during the defence committee's hearings on the triple lock, which I sat in on, because the last time that Israel bombed Iran was during those. The experts were telling us not to worry if we were not going through the UN General Assembly, the Security Council or any other UN process. Bear in mind, the proposed removal of the triple lock is not a safety net if the UN process fails. It is to bypass the UN process in relation to decisions about military deployment. When bypassing the UN system, who will decide whether it is a matter of international law or relevance? We were told that it would be those who were taking the actions, which may include some coalition of the willing. However, even those who were advocating for this position had to admit it was not when we asked if they thought the last time Israel bombed Iran was in line with international law or appropriate. All of our many EU leaders were welcoming it, though. We are in that situation again. It is a very dangerous road if we start going into a parallel system where it is solely about might is right and not a situation of actual right and law and looking at it in a certain way. Ireland can be such a leader here.

When we talk about stepping up, it is about Ireland having the courage to champion international law. That includes the occupied territories Bill. These are the examples. If we do not champion international law and if we are worried about even referring to the idea that a big country we are friendly with might breach international law, then we are really in a dangerous position and on a slippery slope. I would not want a Government that is not able to be clear and strong on this issue to be in a position whereby it can make decisions about the military deployment of our troops and the removal of the triple lock. This is an example of why we need to be very careful, thoughtful and act in a way that allows us to genuinely champion de-escalation in a manner that is credible.