Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I fully support the Tánaiste's statement and the wishes of the Dáil to see the humanitarian ceasefire extended, with the aim of making it permanent. I too want to extend the question a little to the issue of the EU-Israel trade agreement. I put down a question and I got a response from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, which tells me that this agreement between Israel and the EU does not apply to territory occupied by Israel in 1967. In other words, this is not within its remit. However, if we look very carefully at the deal itself, it states that Israel must have respect for human rights and democratic principles in both its internal and international policy. It is very clear that the trade deal requires this. While, of course, we need a qualified majority, is there any way that Ireland can start that discussion?

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