Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Members for their questions. In relation to Deputy Mattie McGrath, I understand that the Taoiseach committed to a debate on these issues in the next two weeks during today's Order of Business, if I am not mistaken. Obviously as a member of the EU we are to the forefront in meeting our international obligations to ensure that those coming, who are very traumatised and in very difficult circumstances, are provided with shelter and accommodation. That is proving a huge challenge in terms of the logistics in rolling that out but we are doing our very best to ensure we can provide a very strong response. As for Iran and the huge atrocities being carried out there, that was raised at the recent European Council meeting. The EU was united in its condemnation of the death penalty and also of the atrocities and the denial of human rights, integrity and dignity in Iran.

That was to the forefront of the meeting and detailed in the communiqué issued following the meeting.

The special tribunal was raised in respect of Ukraine as well as Palestine. We are to the forefront on this and the Government has been united in our response to the atrocities taking place in respect of women, children and all people that this is happened to in Palestine. We absolutely condemn it. It has been raised on several occasions. On 3 October, the EU was to the forefront in keeping dialogue open and condemning the atrocities and the illegal settlements in Palestine. We in the Government are united with the EU as a single force to ensure our voice is heard. It is about getting the balance in keeping the dialogue open with Prime Minister Netanyahu,to be able to achieve that.

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