Danny Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent) | Oireachtas source

This is a very worrying situation that has affected everyone all over the world. People are outraged at what is going on and what has gone on. We welcome the word that has come through this morning that there is some breakthrough and that peace may be about to happen. We all hope and pray that it does happen.

I condemn what has happened here since 7 October. I am neutral in the sense that we cannot go in there. We do not have powers for the Army to intervene. I believe that all this House can do is call for peace and appeal to all sides to end this conflict, which is creating such a loss of life. We all feel for Emily Hand and her father and all the other people who have been kidnapped. They must be released by Hamas and, likewise, Israel must cease the military action and the force it has used for a number of weeks now.

As far as I can see, both sides are wrong. It has to stop when we see a group of dead babies together in a room somewhere. We all love children and look forward to seeing them grow up and become our future. What is happening, the numbers involved, is wrong. However, this motion does not mention the word "peace" or the kidnapping of Emily Hand. We all want peace.

I do not support the reference in the motion to stopping American aeroplanes refuelling in Shannon. Do people think the US could not get petrol for its aeroplanes anywhere else? The planes can go to the North of Ireland, where we do not have any jurisdiction. We do not have any jurisdiction over what will happen in England. Shannon Airport is barely able to keep going. I had many joyous days there when I was welcoming family coming home and I had many lonesome days there when they were departing. It is an airport that is trying to keep going and I do not see why we should stop the activity given that the Americans will get the petrol somewhere else. I have not seen them doing any harm in all the years. It is just ridiculous to include-----

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