Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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There is growing speculation and fear. We are talking about a ground invasion of Rafah with trepidation as to what that could mean. However, it is important to contextualise that Rafah is currently under attack. The situation and the scenes there are beyond imagining. I looked back at the transcript from October when the Tánaiste was last before the committee, and I suggest that he read it. Those in this room with the worst fears then could not have envisaged the destruction of Gaza that we have seen subsequently. If Israel moves to a ground invasion of Rafah, that will mean an attack on the last place of refuge of people who in some instances have been moved six times. These are people who are already starving and being denied water humanitarian aid.

If Israel were to make such a move of depravity, what action would the Tánaiste contemplate to be appropriate on the part of Ireland, in the first instance, and of the EU more widely?