Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Yes. That has been and is the position of Ireland. I said this on the way into the meeting. That would require unanimity that simply does not exist. It is important for people at home to know that unanimity does not exist across the 27 member states and it would require unanimity. Therefore, I think the focus of Ireland now has to be on what practical, concrete actions to take. I think the Deputy and I would agree that you cannot say that a country is in breach of its obligations under an agreement and that be a consequence-free zone. I think that is now what the High Representative needs to focus on. She has published the review which, quite rightly, is damning. It is not a question of Israel just having breached one or two elements. This is a damning report that talks about Israel’s breaches across a variety of areas, and Europe now has to act. The report cannot be unseen. Either Israel needs to bring itself into compliance, which is always an option, and stop the genocide and killing and become compliant, or the European Union needs to outline to member states what options there are in terms of consequences.