Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I apologise for any confusion I may have caused earlier. I will try to stick to questions on this. What is the magical number of deaths in Gaza and Palestine before we call for an immediate ceasefire and condemn what Israel is doing? We have not actually condemned it at all. We keep saying it should be in compliance with humanitarian law and proportionate but clearly it is not. Will the Minister of State tell me what is the magical number?

What is the position in relation to Shannon? What inspections have been carried out as regards arms being transported through Shannon by America and other countries. Human Rights Watch has verified Israel’s use of white phosphorous munitions in Lebanon and Gaza. That is clearly a violation of international humanitarian law. Will the Minister of State update us on what inspections or actions have been taken by the Government in relation to Gaza?

Prior to this war, the attack by Hamas and the warmongering by Israel in response, 80% of the people in the Gaza Strip were utterly reliant on goods and food coming in from outside. I understand up to 500 trucks were coming in each day. Now we are happy that a total of 500 trucks have gone in to Gaza since this started. What voice are we using on that?

What voice are we using in relation to the deaths and destruction that have been perpetuated in the name of democracy and self-defence? That is turning language on its head and, parallel with that, we have heard dehumanising language being used to describe the Palestinian people. I will not do Palestinians the indignity of repeating that appalling language.

Will the Minister of State please tell me where the Government, Taoiseach and Tánaiste have dealt with that?

I also wish to ask about the UN and the special procedure when the veto is misused, as it has been misused by Russia in the past, by America on numerous occasions, and particularly since this war began. There is a special procedure called the uniting for peace initiative in accordance with Resolution No. 377 of 3 February 1950 to call for an emergency session of the General Assembly to discuss a permanent and sustainable ceasefire and the lifting of the blockade of Gaza.

I understand that 120 countries in the General Assembly have called for peace. If that is not an overwhelming majority, I do not know what is.

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