Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)

I am setting the context of my question. Does the Minister accept the Apache helicopter could have been used in the collective punishment — a crime against humanity — in Palestine in recent days? At least 49 Palestinians, including 11 children, have been killed by Israeli forces. Does the Minister of State agree with the Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas, that the bombardment of civilian infrastructure amounts to collective punishment, a crime against humanity? This would have been carried out by weapons such as an Apache helicopter.

Does the Minister of State agree that the kidnapping by Israel of 25 elected Palestinian representatives demonstrates Israel's lack of commitment to democratic principles? Will he clarify that, after consultation with the Department of Transport, as required by the 1973 order, the Department of Foreign Affairs approved the use of Shannon Airport for the transfer of military helicopters and other military apparatus to Israel? Does the Minister of State agree the role played by the State in the sale and transfer of arms to human rights abusers is unacceptable and must cease immediately? What steps will he take to ensure this stops?

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