Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

When the Taoiseach met Ban Ki-moon, did he ask him for his perspective on the idea of statehood for the Palestinians? We supported the motion on their right to a state at the time it came before the House. We had earlier indicated our support for the idea of a Palestinian state anyway. We regretted the fact that Sinn Féin kind of went solo on it. My understanding was that all parties had agreed to meet to see whether a collective agreement across the House could be reached, thereby enabling us to speak with one voice. While the Parliament has done that to a certain extent, the Government and the State have not recognised Palestine's statehood in UN terms. I ask the Taoiseach to facilitate a meeting between the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and the respective party spokespeople on foreign affairs, or the party leaders if necessary, at which any issues the Minister may have with this can be teased out. The line "he continues to reflect" is classic diplomatic-speak. He can continue to reflect for a long time. I ask the Taoiseach to consider arranging for the foreign affairs spokespeople of all the political parties to the Minister. I agree that it should be more than rhetoric. If we are going to do something in this regard, it should be done in unison because there is greater strength in unity. I would appreciate it if that could be done because the construction of the settlements and the ongoing persecution and violence mean that the situation is getting more precarious and the two-state solution is becoming less viable. It is clear that a majority at the EU Foreign Affairs Council will support the stance of Israel, just as the US does. Something needs to be done to change the narrative of what is going on.

I do not think the flood risk provision of €100 million per annum by 2021, as mentioned by the Taoiseach in his reply, will be enough. I think the situation is far more grave than that. I suggest the Government needs to wake up because the rapidity of climate change is a serious issue. As we have seen, the storms that occur here have increased in ferocity and have greater levels of rainfall. Many coastal regions, including some cities, are now very vulnerable to flooding on an ongoing basis.

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