Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)

I have previously discussed the matter with the Deputy. On several occasions at European Council of Ministers meetings I have stressed the point on which there is general agreement in this House; it is simply wrong in every sense of the word that the people who live in Gaza should be isolated and aid should have to go through the current process and be delayed as a result.

On the other point, one should dismiss the comments about our former President for what they are, black propaganda aimed partly at undermining the Goldstone report. The point about the report which jumps off the pages is a comment that an action which was supposed to begin as self-defence was disproportionate and tried to punish, humiliate and terrorise the civilian population. That is unacceptable from any civilised country.

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