Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein)

I have had my say in terms of the points that Deputy Boyd Barrett made. Blatantly shocking double standards continue to apply in this regard to Israel. The decision to close our embassy in Tehran was a bad one. Have we considered inserting ourselves into this situation? Have we considered Ireland's role as one of the driving forces behind the nuclear non-proliferation treaty as a neutral country, although that has been undermined by the use of Shannon for military stop-offs? Have we considered playing a constructive role in the Middle East and in conflicts such as this because my understanding from engagements with the Iranian ambassador is that Iran would see Ireland as a neutral country and an honest broker? I presume the United States would view us similarly, considering our umbilical relationship with it. Is this something we have considered? What is the Minister's vision for foreign affairs? Where does he see Ireland's role in terms of those conflicts in that region?

See this speech in context