Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail)

I do not sit on the Foreign Affairs Council but I have no doubt this was discussed because we are not the only country there. It is not acceptable. I do not sit at that meeting so I cannot say definitely but I have no doubt it was discussed. I would discuss it with anybody as well because it is so important for us and the people of Lebanon. Our soldiers have the protections of international law and are entitled to them. We do not waver on that and we are very strong about it. The Taoiseach has gone on the record many times regarding Israel and Hezbollah, but what happened with Israel, not just with regard to UNIFIL but diplomats as well, was outrageous. This has been expressed by us as such and, as I recall, by other member states. I have no doubt it was discussed at the Foreign Affairs Council. There is no question about that.

On Iran, we do not want this war. We do not want videos of missiles flying across skies. It just frightening and should not be happening. We want de-escalation. Iran is a problem; there is no getting away from that. It is a problem but one we think could be solved through diplomatic means.