Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)

So the fact that kids were being slaughtered as they were queuing for water and flour was not the concern in the NTMA. This is the thing that really angers me. The reason the NTMA sold these is because of Iran and possibly Israel not being able pay out on the bonds. The NTMA did not sell them because of the genocide. I do not understand what is going on in the NTMA. I have huge respect for the NTMA in terms of its debt management but it is so off the wall on this issue. It is appalling that at a senior level, and it does have to fall at Mr. O'Connor's doorstep, the NTMA has allowed the State to continue to invest, support and fund a genocide. That is what it has done. There are no ifs, buts or maybes. I cannot say it any other way. The NTMA is making a decision to give millions of taxpayers' money to Israel, which is advertising to fund its war effort, and the only reason it stopped it is that it is worried that the escalation with Iran might mean that Israel is unable to pay the money back to the NTMA. I find that mind-boggling.

At the start of this process in June, Mr. O'Connor spoke about Government strategy. Can he explain what role the Government had in respect of this divestment?