Michael Mullins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I join in welcoming the people from the Irish Deaf Society in the Visitors' Gallery this morning. While this side of the House will probably not support the proposed amendment to the Order of Business, I assure them that we are doing everything possible to see if funding can be restored to the advocacy group. It is critical to the organisation. All Members on this side of the House are doing everything possible to correct that wrong.

I join Senator Bacik in condemning the appalling killing of four children on the beach in Gaza yesterday. I hope the short window of opportunity presented by the ceasefire today will be used productively by all sides to bring an end to the appalling killings we have witnessed in recent weeks. It beggars belief that so many lives are being put at risk and that people will not get around a table and discuss the problems. We will urge the new Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to put pressure on both sides to get on with the peace talks and bring about a lasting solution for the people of Gaza and Israel.

Like other speakers, I thank the Leader, the Cathaoirleach and all the staff in the House for their courtesy and support. Everybody is looking forward to a break, but we must be very conscious of safety this summer, including safety on the roads, safety on farms, where too many lives are lost through accidents, and safety on the water. If we keep those issues in mind, everybody will have an enjoyable summer and return refreshed for a busy autumn political session.