Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE) | Oireachtas source

The Taoiseach has acknowledged that there needs to be an investigation by the International Criminal Court. It is true that the Prosecutor has said that the ICC has authority, but what that is referring to is the fact that Israel is not a signatory to the Rome Statute and therefore it is saying it is not applicable to it. The Prosecutor is saying "No. Things that are committed in Gaza can be covered" but there does need to be a referral in order for a prosecution and investigation to take place. The Taoiseach has the power to make that happen. Will the Government make a referral under Article 14 so that there is an investigation by the International Criminal Court?

The Taoiseach says we cannot expel the Israeli ambassador because we need to have diplomatic relations to try and get the Irish citizens out. But we have those relations right now. We have the Israeli ambassador on the Irish media every day telling lies, covering up for war crimes, and that is not happening. Is it not true that Irish citizens, together with Brazilian citizens, are effectively being held hostage by the Israeli regime in Gaza? While the citizens of other countries have been allowed to leave, for example, the US, Germany and Britain, Irish and Brazilians have not been allowed to leave by Israel.

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