Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Sometimes when I hear the Deputy speak, he seems to suggest that he is coming from a higher moral ground than the Government on these issues. He is not. We care about this issue. That is why I am engaging as much as I am on it. I have probably spent more time on the Middle East peace process than on anything else other than Brexit and our relationships in Europe and Washington. That is because we are trying to ensure that Ireland can maximise its leverage and influence in terms of the politics of this issue, which, ultimately, will be the issue that will protect children, many of whom I have met in schools and health centres in places like Gaza and the West Bank.

We do not actually disagree on the outcome we want. What we disagree on is the method of getting us there. I do not believe boycotts and protests alone will solve this issue.

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