Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Ireland deeply regrets the failure of the UN Security Council to agree a resolution calling for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, the protection of civilians and compliance with international law, the immediate and unconditional release of hostages and urgent humanitarian access. This resolution was co-sponsored by no fewer than 99 UN member states, yet it was not adopted as a result of the veto being used. The resolution had the support of 13 of the 15 members of the Security Council, including France, which is an EU member state.

Regarding the actions we are taking as a State, as I mentioned we are among a group of European countries that is calling for a ceasefire. I will make that case in Brussels on Thursday and Friday. We support further sanctions on Hamas but also the imposition of sanctions on violent settlers in the West Bank. We have called for a review of the EU-Israel association agreement, taking into account the human rights clause, and we are also providing additional funding for the International Criminal Court, which is the body that could issue arrest warrants. It must be allowed to carry out its investigation without political interference.

See this speech in context