Cathal Berry (Kildare South, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Ba mhaith liom labhairt freisin faoi cad atá ar siúl i nGaza faoi láthair. I would also like to speak about the situation in Gaza. I want to focus on the international humanitarian operation that is air-dropping food supplies by parachute directly onto the strip. I am doubling down on the previous speaker's remarks and I would absolutely be in favour of, and it is far preferable that there be, a permanent ceasefire, a prisoner exchange and direct humanitarian access on the ground. While the negotiations are ongoing for that to take place, as an interim solution this is something which is viable, worthwhile and is something Ireland should examine.

There will be consequences to any action Ireland takes. If Ireland expels the Israeli ambassador, Israel will just expel our ambassador. If Ireland tries to slap sanctions on Israel, it will just slap sanctions on Ireland back and, not only that, but that other countries would probably join them as would other corporations. If Ireland engages in certain legal practices, life on the ground would become very difficult for our troops, for our humanitarian workers and for our diplomats, to such an extent that they may not be able to carry out their vitally important function.

The only consequences to Ireland involving itself in this type of humanitarian air-drop by parachute operation is that women and children will be fed. An added bonus is that it will be very symbolic and would send a very powerful and pragmatic message to both the current Israeli Government and to the Knesset.

The reason I raise this is because there has been a number of media comments over the past week or so that Ireland is considering participating in this operation. Are those media reports true? Is Ireland considering being involved in this humanitarian parachute operation? My understanding is that we do not have the technical capability in our air corps at the moment. Is that the case? I am open to correction on that. If we are going to participate and we do not have the technical capability, what form will that assistance take?

Finally, I understand and very much welcome that an order has been placed to purchase a new military transport aircraft. It is being assembled on an assembly line in Spain at the moment but it will not be here for 15 months. Is it the Tánaiste's understanding that that new aircraft will have the capability to deploy pallets mid-air in the future? If it is not the case, would the Tánaiste consider including that in the tender? It is very important that as the direction of travel geopolitically on the planet at the moment is very un-reassuring that this is a capability that Ireland should certainly try to acquire as soon as possible. I thank the Tánaiste.

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