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

In the past when Ireland has succeeded in being elected to the UN Security Council at regular intervals, it has been through a relentless focus on diplomatic contacts. We have all been involved. I was involved in previous Governments in getting direction from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade on the state of play. This is why it caused some surprise that the Government decided to assign a marketing expert to the campaign. There has been a lot more showboating and razzmatazz about this. One gets the sense it is for a domestic audience as opposed to the international reality of how these things happen and how election to the Security Council is won. People were surprised by how the former head of the strategic communications unit was by the Taoiseach's side in New York on Monday. Will he explain to whom he reports and why the Taoiseach decided we needed marketing expertise in this bid? Was there a competition for the particular post the person now occupies in line with normal procedure?

With regard to the visit of President Abbas at the weekend, will the Taoiseach explain whether he is any closer to clarifying what appear to be entirely contradictory policies on Israel, Palestine and the occupied territories? Ireland's position as a country, and the Oireachtas in particular, has consistently been in favour of a two-state solution as well as recognition of the humanitarian crisis especially in Gaza. Mr. Netanyahu's Government has effectively made efforts to undermine any possibility of reaching a two-state solution. That is where we are now. It has been steady and consistent in reducing the feasibility of an eventual two-state solution. There is a worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza, and we should acknowledge the negative role of Hamas in this deteriorating humanitarian situation. The question is whether the international community acts or simply stands on the sidelines.

Many states are now actively working to try to push back against Netanyahu's policies by recognising a Palestinian state and seeking new ways to combat illegal settlement. At each stage the Government has been resistant to action. In fact, we have been lectured - I do not like to use that word - by the Tánaiste about how we are damaging his efforts to bring peace to the region. I spoke with the Tánaiste about the occupied territories Bill. He is earnest, but he told me it could damage Ireland's peace role and the perception of Ireland by the United States. He gave me the impression a peace initiative was about to happen, but what was done by the US Government was the antithesis of any movement towards peace, as it removed its funding from UNRWA, the United Nations relief organisation that does extraordinary work in Gaza and the West Bank to feed people and educate children. I have been in the schools in Gaza where children are taught about the atrocities and horror of the Holocaust, but the one civilising and significant humanitarian response to the crisis is being steadily undermined and eroded by the US Government and President Trump. I have made clear to the Tánaiste that the bottom line is people's patience is running out with the response of this Parliament and the Government.

Is it the Taoiseach's view that targeting goods from illegal settlements is a problem in terms of EU law? What will he do to try to change this? Will he take any steps to implement the clearly expressed will of the Oireachtas?

On the peace process in the North, I must put on the record that the Sinn Féin Ard Comhairle at the time should not have contrived to collapse the assembly and Executive. We now know from evidence that letters were written by Sinn Féin Ministers pleading for the extension of the renewable heat incentive scheme and that it would continue to be kept open. That is now out there in the public domain.

See this speech in context