Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Thursday, 3 July 2025

Committee on Defence and National Security

General Scheme of the Defence (Amendment) Bill 2025: Discussion (Resumed)

2:00 am

Mr. Stephen Kelly:

It is a very important mandate. It started in the late 1970s and it began because of Israel's invasion of Lebanon. It took place at a time when western countries were much more willing to stand up to Israel, I would say. It is a very important mandate. Irish soldiers have been killed by Israel and Israeli-backed forces down through the years. It is an extremely important mandate.