Matt Shanahan (Waterford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the release of 100 Israeli hostages and hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, many of whom were women and teenagers detained without trial. I also support the Government's position in calling for an end to the Israeli practice of administrative detention. This is only adding further to the resentment of moderate Palestinians, and is further adding to a justification narrative of Israeli apartheid.

Like every other Irish person, my colleagues and I in the Regional Group were delighted to see the release of Emily Hand, who represents the continuing plight of the other hostages who have yet to be released. The hopes that the seven-day truce could be extended with further possible movements to an extensive ceasefire now appear dashed. My colleagues and I continue to support the position of the Government to work with our European partners in trying to apply pressure for a sustainable humanitarian ceasefire. In addition, diplomatic efforts must be made to build pressure for intermediary-supported peace talks that put the two-state solution firmly back on the international agenda. The death toll visited by Hamas jihadists on the Israeli kibbutz and concert area was merciless, inhumane and horrific and can never be forgotten. However, the resulting collective punishment of the Palestinian people in an effort to destroy Hamas and its war machine is also inhumane and horrific. The end certainly does not justify the means.

For too long, the sands of the Middle East have soaked up the blood of innocents because of political and religious ideologies that choose to see people not of one tribe as having no right to exist in another. Ireland must do everything in its power to continue to influence and mobilise the international community, including the leaders of Middle Eastern neighbours, to persevere and apply pressure for an immediate path to peace. I welcome the additional EU humanitarian aid approved to the Palestinian people and Ireland's growing contribution to it. The suffering of little children must and should spur each one of us and every civilised nation to do more in order that it can to bring an end to the ongoing military campaign of the Israel Defense Forces and pressure for a political agreement to open new discussion a long-term two state solution to bring enduring peace.

We have a second war going on in Europe, in Ukraine. This war also has the potential to destabilise Europe in the future. Early optimism that this war would be short-lived has now completely evaporated and it appears both sides are entrenched and dug in. Ireland has stepped up to the mark completely with over 100,000 Ukrainians taking refuge here. The discussion at European level of continuing to provide assistance to Ukraine recognises the rights of a country to exist and remain sovereign within its borders. The aggressive actions of Russia on the pretext of national security risk or the risk of plantation exercises in western Ukraine can never be condoned and they must be resisted.

For those who believe Europe should reduce support to Ukraine in the hope that it would appease the Russian President, I suggest they would be well minded to review the history of Europe from 1938 to 1941. The Ukrainian people have a right to their democracy, which is the target of the Russian invasion. We in Ireland, who hold our own Republic and democracy dear, know that you have to confront invaders or else be ground into the dust. It is important that the European Union takes steps to solidify its cybersecurity and its communications and energy infrastructure and that it supports Ukraine to do the same. Russia is engaged in asymmetric warfare in Ukraine. Europe must continue to push back against the Russian aggression and continue to impose further sanctions as necessary, in order to see Russia and its leadership come to their senses regarding their policy to enslave a neighbouring population which has repeatedly utterly rejected their paternalistic overtures.

Regarding the EU strategic agenda, there appears to be discussions developing regarding a process of enlargement. Such discussions cannot completely ignore the direction of climate change, the migration of peoples and the ability of the Continent to continue to feed itself but at the same time protect the environment. I raise concerns about our agricultural community into the future and Ireland's ability to feed itself. I refer specifically to the European action on the computation of carbon emissions and greenhouse gases. The science on carbon emissions and sequestration is still only in its infancy. The methodology being used for carbon counting is establishing two tiers. Some apply to countries in Europe and some apply to Ireland. We are in the second tier which sees bovines as being a significant emitter of greenhouse gases. They do not take account of our mineral soils and the ability of soils to sequester greenhouse gases. We are in the middle of a climate emergency but we need to take on board new, cutting edge, scientific explanations. I ask that Government look at this seriously. There is evidence, including from Teagasc, that the soils on certain farms and farm practices cause specific and very individual reactions in terms of greenhouse gas sequestration. This morning, the Taoiseach spoke about the opportunities to sequester greenhouse gases and our ability to diversify and accelerate our renewable energy sector. Wind and solar power present the greatest opportunities to Ireland to become a European leader in the production of clean energy. We need to support vulnerable populations and the best way to do that is to bring our energy aspirations forcefully to the European agenda.

See this speech in context