Michael McDowell (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Things were bad enough in Syria before but were beginning to normalise. The current situation was started by the actions of the American President in abandoning, in a most cowardly way, the people who did all the fighting for him in confronting ISIS and ending the caliphate that was established in Syria and Iraq. I accept that the Tánaiste's mind will be elsewhere today and for the next few days.Will the Leader ask the Tánaiste to come here to discuss what Ireland can do to make its voice clear against barbarism of this kind and against the actions of the United States through its out-of-control President? I will mention one last thing about President Trump. Having unleashed this bloodshed, he then started warbling on about imposing sanctions on the people to whom he had given the go ahead. I do not know what sanctions have been imposed. I know we have a special relationship with America but at some stage we have to protest about the bloodshed and savagery that he unleased on people who have been loyal allies of his and the wanton killing of decent ordinary people that is happening as a result of his utter incompetence as a statesman, and his completely out-of-control approach to the conduct of international relations.