Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I was honoured to be in this Chamber this morning to listen to the address of the Ukrainian President, Mr. Zelenskyy. There is a serious need for us to support the Ukrainian people and to push the UN, European Commission and other relevant bodies to investigate the war crimes that are being committed in Ukraine every day. Alongside this, we cannot forget the plight of those in Syria, Afghanistan, Palestine, Yemen and other countries where parents put their children to bed every night without knowing what the following day will bring. We must stand against all atrocities against humanity. We have a proud history of military neutrality in global conflicts. We must protect this but we must also use our reputation to push for severe sanctions on those who would deny people their human rights. The Government's opposition to legislation such as the occupied territories Bill must end. Why is Fine Gael preventing the Government from passing this much-needed Bill? The Bill has the support of the majority of Deputies.

We must also end the inhumane conditions of direct provision, which is something the Government has committed to in its programme for Government. That needs to be delivered. This House has a chance to deliver on these issues and I ask the Minister of State and the Government to ensure they do so.

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