Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The Spanish Government and the Norwegian Parliament are moving to formally recognise the Palestinian state. Ireland must do the same. The Belgian Government has called for sanctions against Israel. Ireland must do the same. Israel must be held to account and we need a ceasefire now. We need a deal to secure the release of all hostages now. We hope that Irish girl Emily Hand will be finally returned safely to her family. Aid must be let into Gaza immediately. People there need food, water, medicines and fuel urgently. The onslaught and siege must end. This is what the people of Gaza need to save their children and stop the destruction of an entire people. The Palestinian nation faces another Nakba, catastrophe. The people of Gaza face annihilation and the Dáil must stand together, saying "No, never."

On European streets, Arab streets and streets throughout the world, ordinary people in their tens of thousands march, protest and call for a full and immediate ceasefire.

This is the imperative. Le 45 lá tá léigear agus sléacht buailte ag muintir Ghaza. An t-aon rud amháin a chuirfidh athrú iomlán ar an gcás uafásach seo ná sos cogaidh láithreach. Caithfear deireadh a chur leis an marú láithreach.

The Taoiseach has said that Israeli actions cannot be without consequence. What are those consequences? The one thing that can transform this awful situation is an immediate, full and unequivocal ceasefire; not a temporary pause but a complete end to hostilities. That is what is needed to save the lives of all - hostages, civilians, children and entire communities. This is what the world is calling for now. I invite the Taoiseach to make that clear call from the Dáil today.

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