Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The Tánaiste dishonours this country and our international standing by taking to his feet in this Chamber and attempting to overlook, disregard or justify all of this. The Irish people are prepared to take on the argument at EU level. Public opinion understands this is necessary. People are prepared to take on the commercial complications set out by the Tánaiste. What they are not prepared to do and what no Government worthy of the name should do is stand over trade with illegal settlements or stand by as the state of Israel comprehensively and brazenly flouts international law day in and day out. Above all else, the Government and the State should stand for the rule of international law. In the final analysis, that is what the legislation is about. The Tánaiste can give his political, legal and diplomatic rationale and come up with every excuse under the sun not to support the Bill, but we only need one good reason to support it.

I was in Palestine before Christmas. The Palestinian people look to Ireland to lead and stand in solidarity with them. They want this legislation. I did not meet one person who was opposed to it. As the Palestinian people believe this is the right move, let us make it and lead from the front. That is the honourable and Irish thing to do.

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