Ivana Bacik (Dublin Bay South, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Taoiseach for that comprehensive report on the constructive visit by the US President, Mr. Joe Biden, to Ireland last week to mark the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement. In the president's speech in the Oireachtas, and in his other speeches, he made some welcome and positive interventions in seeking to further the peace process and ensure support for the Windsor Framework. He also touched on a number of other issues, as the Taoiseach said, including climate change, corporate responsibility and solidarity with Ukraine, which were welcome issues to raise.

The Taoiseach mentioned that he had the opportunity to engage with him on geopolitical issues. Did the Taoiseach have the time to discuss with him the situation in Palestine and how the lessons learned from our peace process can be applied in the Middle East? I ask because in recent weeks we have seen appalling actions by Israeli forces, most recently a brutal raid at the Al-Aqsa Mosque, which was the latest abuse by Israel of the rights of Palestinian people.

I note what is happening in Sudan and the awful assault on Irish diplomat, Aidan O'Hara, serving with the EU. I offer our solidarity and support to Ambassador O'Hara.

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