Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We are. It is the entire focus of our diplomatic endeavours. In my work and the work of the Taoiseach and the rest of the Government, we have tried in the first instance to work with other EU member states to push towards a permanent cessation of the war.

It cannot be said often enough how savage the Hamas atrocity at the outset of this war was. It had an impact on the Israeli psyche and public opinion within Israel, with a sense of insecurity as a result of the attack, which killed 1,400 civilians – children, women and so on.

The Deputy is correct, in that people are equally horrified at the enormity of the bombardment of Gaza. This morning, the scale of bombs used was of an order almost unprecedented in such a densely populated urban environment. Israel has a right to go after Hamas, but it does not have a right to see the Gazan population collectively punished as a result of the activities of Hamas. We can all see the horrific scenes on our screens, with children and families being killed.

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