Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

Reportage on this matter accurately reflects the discussion which the Minister for Foreign Affairs had with the ambassador of Israel to Ireland. We set out our position and the ambassador set out his position. The Minister further made known our opposition in a subsequent briefing with the press. I have indicated in previous replies the points amplified by the Minister to the ambassador in regard to the safety of our citizens, their immediate and unconditional release, the need for the Israeli Government to respect its international obligations under the Vienna convention in this respect, Ireland's support of the call for a full independent and international inquiry into yesterday's events, preferably under UN auspices and our condemnation of the actions by the military as completely unacceptable and disproportionate and stemming directly from the illegal Israeli blockade of Gaza, which the Minister and Government have repeatedly urged should be ended.

The position is as I stated yesterday. I state this on behalf of a Government that has been, in the wider context of trying to resolve this issue in the Middle East, acknowledging the right for peaceful co-existence for the State of Israel and for the establishment of a viable Palestinian State. It is hugely important that international law is respected in this situation. International law is not in this situation being respected. The idea that one could board the vessel in international waters on the basis of being in compliance with international law owing to such being an act of self defence is not supported by the facts.

See this speech in context