Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Taoiseach for his comprehensive reply in respect of a very difficult subject at a very difficult time. No words can describe the depth of revulsion among the general public and many countries across the globe at what is being perpetrated by the Israelis in Gaza. It cannot be justified that a retaliation in any circumstances goes on in order to achieve a greater body count. One of the things I have noticed in this situation over the years is that it would appear that a body count, in terms of initial reaction or retaliation, seems to be the bottom line. It should not be.

I thank the Taoiseach for pursuing this matter at international level but I believe we can do more. What is of great importance is to recognise now that there needs to be somebody to intervene, somebody of stature who is respected internationally, whether that is from the US, the East, the West or whatever. The UN would appear to be the obvious choice to intervene. The UN had greater stature before the war in the western Balkans when the UN deployment had to stand down in the face of a superior force. That was the weakening of the position. It was also a watershed. To what extent can the Taoiseach encourage the restoration of the stature the UN once held? There is no sense in the response coming from other countries to say that they have to sort this one out first or that they will do X, Y or Z at a certain stage. We need a permanent structure dedicated to achieving some kind of peaceful resolution. Otherwise, the only resolution will be war that will bring on a counter-war, and it goes on forever. It is the old story of an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. The only thing that happens at the end of that, if it is pursued, is that we have a great number of blind and toothless people. I appeal that stature of the UN be restored or that it reasserts it authority in that particular area in order to dominate matters.

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