Réada Cronin (Kildare North, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Gabhaim buíochas leis an gCathaoirleach Gníomhach agus leis an nGrúpa Neamhspleách as an rún seo a chur ar aghaidh. In every poll, the electorate has shown itself to be in favour of keeping our military neutrality. It is, as our popular President called it, a cornerstone of our foreign policy as a State. That neutrality is all the more precious in light of Russia's war in Ukraine and Israel's ongoing war crimes being committed relentlessly and with political impunity against the civilian men, women and children of Gaza. While Ireland remains militarily neutral, we will never be neutral in our humanitarianism and our compassion for and solidarity with the oppressed. We have an exemplary record as peacemakers in the world. I heard Lieutenant Colonel MacEoin this morning talking about the situation facing our peacekeepers in the Middle East right now. I know that our highly trained and professional soldiers are bringing a degree of stability to that part of the world.

As a junior spokesperson on defence, I want to honour the families of those who serve in our Defence Forces. We acknowledge their sacrifice in watching them go, their pride and relief when they come home and the life-shattering grief if they do not. We must preserve our neutrality as the precious value it is in order that they know our presence anywhere is for good and signifies our strength, our careful reflection and our self-awareness internationally, because there is too much war in the world. War brings suffering and death. We see the human misery it brings to our screens in the slaughterhouse that is Gaza.

President von der Leyen must be told that if withholding food, energy and water are war crimes for Russia, then those same actions are war crimes for Israel. The war crime is the act itself, the criminals will be decided by The Hague. Our Tánaiste must go to the EU Council meeting to push for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and for fuel and medical aid to get into Gazan hospitals without delay. I do not doubt that he will have a job on his hands but the EU must be reminded of our so-called European values of peace, and for this they might as well be told about by an Irishman. He must tell them that Ireland calls for an immediate ceasefire in the name of humanity and we call for hostages to be returned to their families who are distraught and horrified by the atrocities committed by Hamas. Their heartbreak is swamped by the immediate and brutal response by the Israeli defence forces, where there are at least now 5,791 men women and children, including 2,055 children, killed, 305 yesterday alone, and where nearly 1,500 babies will die when the incubators run out of energy. Palestine needs a ceasefire and EU thoughts and prayers do not cut it in what is fast becoming a thoughtless and God-forsaken institution.

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