Seán Haughey (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The bombardment of Gaza following the recent truce has recommenced with a vengeance. Southern Gaza is now in the firing line and the people of Gaza have nowhere to go. More and more civilians, including 6,000 children, have been killed. It is absolutely appalling what is happening. It is clear the international community, including the US and EU, did not do much to prevent the current hostilities breaking out and they were happy to accept the status quo and try to manage this situation. It is to be hoped that a much wider conflict in the region can be avoided and Arab states in particular have an important role to play in this regard. I am thinking especially of Egypt, Jordan and Qatar and Saudi Arabia in this context. Iran, of course, is a constant threat to international peace and security in the region and beyond.

In the Taoiseach's talks with the Arab and Islamic representatives did he get any sense of a collective view on the need for a permanent humanitarian ceasefire and on the ongoing need to get humanitarian assistance into Gaza? In addition, is there recognition that a just and lasting peace process will have to be commenced when the current hostilities have come to an end? Were views expressed on how Gaza should be governed in the longer term at the meeting with the representatives and at the COP meeting? I would be interested to hear what views the Taoiseach ascertained on these matters.

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