Chris Andrews (Dublin Bay South, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

With the House's indulgence, I will take another minute. We must challenge the annexation of more Palestinian land. How can we say we want to end racism if we do not stand up to racist Israel? I have to think that we did not want to upset anyone in advance of the United Nations Security Council vote. Not including Senator Frances Black's Control of Economic Activity (Occupied Territories) Bill 2018 in the programme for Government is a huge setback and a kick in the teeth for Palestinians and all those who campaigned in respect of that legislation. This was an opportunity to stand up to state racism but, instead, we threw the Palestinians to the wolves.

Finally, I welcome the commitment to examine the introduction of a new ground of discrimination based on socio-economically disadvantaged status under the Employment Equality and Equal Status Acts. However, it seems vague and not very definitive. I mention this because, increasingly, there is an intersection between class and race. Many people of colour are facing race and class discrimination and I would welcome legislation on this issue as a priority. I thank the Ceann Comhairle and appreciate the indulgence of the House.

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