Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I think this committee would be united in saying that we welcome the position the Irish Government consistently takes in vocalising the need for international law to be upheld and advocating for the rights of Palestinians, in particular in an international context where there does not seem to be too many western governments that are willing to do that. I am also struck by how much Ireland appears to be in a minority in the EU Council. The reason I think this is profoundly important is that the Tánaiste, for example, has cited the need for EU consensus before we can formally adhere to the decision of both Houses of the Oireachtas to recognise the state of Palestine. The Irish Government could not get agreement in the Foreign Affairs Council for its call for a de-escalation, as just described by the Minister of State. There could not be agreement across EU foreign ministers on a call for a de-escalation and lives to be saved in the region and calling on all sides to adhere to international law. Does the Minister of State accept that in some instances there will be a requirement for Ireland to take initiatives to present to the world our abhorrence of the breaches of international law, whether they are committed by Hamas or the Israeli state?