Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The word "corrosive", which the Tánaiste used, was correct because that is the effect of the settlements. The point is that if the settlements continue, there will not be any lands left from which the Palestinians could create a state. The Golan Heights had been untouched by conflict for many years. It had been part of an Israeli peace plan under which Israel was prepared to transfer the area to Syria as part of a comprehensive peace deal. The position is now very different, however. There are 27,000 Syrians, mainly Druze, still living on the Golan Heights and they are under extreme pressure. We met a group of residents from the Golan Heights some time ago and we heard at first hand what life is like for them. The Tánaiste mentioned the US peace plan, on which another question has been tabled. When President Trump states that it is time for the US to fully recognise Israel's sovereignty over the Golan Heights, how could that possibly complement a US peace plan? That is a highly inflammatory statement. Sovereignty is so important to Irish people who know the lengths to which we had to go to assert our sovereignty. The violation of international law is continuing.

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