Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I would like to be associated with the Tánaiste's remarks of sympathy for Brendan Daly and to convey the condolences of Sinn Féin to his family, loved ones and the Fianna Fáil Party. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.

A two-state solution is becoming increasingly unviable simply because of the actions of the state of Israel in its pursuit of the absolute humiliation of the Palestinian people, which appears to be its only goal at this time. I welcome the strong words from the Tánaiste and successive Ministers for Foreign Affairs from this State. I recognise that the Tánaiste is in a minority of ministers from EU countries in that regard. However, he should have the absolute confidence that he is in the majority of humanity, which is disgusted by the ongoing actions of Israel and the lack of an international response. Consensus would be fantastic and preferable at an EU level but for a consensus to be reached, at some point, somebody will have to show leadership. Ireland is best placed to be the state that shows that leadership by taking action and forcing the hand of others internationally to take a robust response regarding what is happening. The first thing we can do is simply recognise the state of Palestine, as agreed by both Houses of the Oireachtas. When will that be done?

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