Matt Shanahan (Waterford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I will follow up on a couple of matters. In one sense, I imagine it must be frustrating for the witnesses contributing today if they are trying to see some advancement. It is important to try to take something away from these actions that can be progressed. It is very important to state that perception is reality to people. Communication is very important. If people are not informed or communication is not available to them, one cannot move public opinion. I often think that politicians follow people, not the other way around. Some politics lead but a lot of politicians follow. Dunnes Stores was a case in point.

I will go back to the database issue. Senator Garvey offered some access to two Green Party MEPs. It is very important to progress that today in respect of labelling issues, in particular, and to try to bring it up within the EU. Is there ring-fenced funding to keep the present database updated and supported? The occupied territories Bill is obviously part of this policy of differentiation. Perhaps the Bill is too far for the Government to go at this point in time but there is no reason we could not enact something to support a policy of differentiation. Again, this will require communication and I do not know who can lead or fund that.

Certainly, the Irish people are very well aware of discrimination and inequity. They do not like it no matter where they see it, whether it is racism or anything else. We are one of the most inclusive societies. People would be publicly appalled if the disparity in GDP and the throttling down of the Palestinian economy by the Israelis was widely known. Is there some way the witnesses can look at trying to get large-scale public advancement and communication, and marketing and advertising, out there to try to inform public opinion? That is probably the best way of getting politicians to follow.