Ruairi Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

We are dealing at the moment with attacks on democracy and truth and the necessity for real journalism. Many have mentioned the issue of the social media giants, the working of their algorithms and how they, at times, facilitate the telling of mistruths. We have a duty of care and protection for the vital work, particularly in conflict situations, carried out by journalists. In our country, we remember the courageous work carried out by Veronica Guerin, Lyra McKee and Martin O'Hagan. Unfortunately, these people paid with their lives.

When we talk about modern-day conflicts, we think of Irish citizen Pierre Zakrzewski, who died in Ukraine, and we cannot but think of Shireen Abu Akleh, who was executed or assassinated - use what term you want - by the so-called Israel Defense Forces. We have all called out the actions of Vladimir Putin and his regime in Ukraine. A huge number of sanctions have been imposed, and rightfully so, but the problem is we are dealing with an Israel that is willing to execute journalists and to carry out the heinous act of attacking a funeral. We have seen that happen before in Ireland and South Africa, and it is generally by regimes that have nothing to offer and that are failing and trying to oppress a community. They generally fail. That is the only good news we have at this point. Israel is a rogue state that has executed journalists, engages in the annexation of land and operates apartheid policies.

We would like to see action across Europe. We do not necessarily want to see unilateral action but sometimes there is no choice. Sometimes the majority does not have the right to be wrong and we have to take action. I call on the Government to call out Israel. Beyond that, we have to look at sanctions. Then we can go beyond Ireland at that stage.

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