Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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I am very disappointed. The Labour Party brought this forward to bring absolute certainty that members of the Israel Defense Forces could and would be prosecuted and declared as a terrorist organisation for the atrocities they are conducting in Palestine every day, every night and every hour, almost. We really hoped this Government would support us. The amendment is in the spirit of what the Irish people want. It is also very necessary. We cannot have any form of fluff on this. We cannot have a situation whereby the people of Ireland feel this Government, which has an opportunity through this legislation, will not say very clearly that we feel the IDF or any similar types of organisation are committing terrorist offences. It is quite shameful we are sending out that message by it not supporting the amendment. I encourage the Minister to support it. Ultimately, he as Minister for justice needs to reflect what the Irish people believe. My amendment, which would ensure that such an organisation would be declared a terrorism organisation could be prosecuted individually or collectively for what they are doing. I believe that is what the Irish people want.