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

I welcome the Tánaiste taking the time to travel to Israel and Palestine. If I have one critique, it is that I would have liked him to have visited Gaza. I do not know if that was considered in his deliberations. Notwithstanding that, it is important that Ireland shows leadership and an interest and that the Government reflects the interest the Irish people have in seeing a lasting peace settlement in the region.

The Minister spoke about our influence and the fact that recognition of the state of Palestine might impact on that influence. The very fact we cannot recognise the state of Palestine because apparently others in Europe are not doing so raises the question as to exactly how big our influence is. I would contend and I have contended for quite some time that, on this matter, the time for cosy chats anywhere is well gone. We now need nation states to make a stand and I would like Ireland to be among the first in making a very strong and definitive stand with regard to the occupation, annexation and oppression by Israel of the Palestinian people, which is not acceptable to the international community. I therefore put the question again, what actions is the Irish Government going to take to send that message to Palestine, Israel and the world?

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