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

I have not heard you condemn it ever, Deputy Boyd Barrett, and that is telling in itself.

You have never condemned the Hamas attack on 7 October, which involved brutal murder, rape and violent violations of human rights.

Denying the right of the Jewish people to self-determination is not acceptable either. Blaming individual Israeli or Jewish people for the actions of the Israeli Government is not acceptable. Such views and the amplification of such views is a distortion of everything Ireland stands for. They damage our reputation as a country that is committed to peace, reconciliation, tolerance and mutual understanding. They also damage our standing as a country which believes passionately that people with different views, histories, traditions and identities can live side by side, find constructive ways to coexist and use political rather than violent means to advance their goals, and that competing narratives and strongly held beliefs and identities do not have to result in a zero-sum game which ends in the destruction of the other. Our belief is strongly based on the two-state solution. I do not see any other solution. Deputy Boyd Barrett may differ in his view on this matter, and I respect his right to do so, but I passionately believe that it is the only potential solution.

We will continue to be a leading voice within the European Union, the United Nations and globally. We are consistent in our message in Europe, the United States and elsewhere, and with everybody we deal with, as to how we think these matters should proceed.

As I said, it remains manifestly clear that addressing the urgent humanitarian situation on the ground, securing the unconditional release of hostages and ending the immediate conflict must be our overriding priority. We are not there yet, but the dial is moving within the European Union and at the United Nations. We are seeing growing international pressure regarding the need for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire. European Union sanctions against Israeli settlers are under active discussion now, as are intensified efforts between the European Union and regional partners towards finding a sustainable peace.

We absolutely need to move faster, more urgently - I mean collectively and internationally - and with greater ambition. Ireland will continue to be at the forefront of advocating for that. The people of Gaza cannot wait.

The progress that we all want to see will not be achieved by shouting louder and longer or by means of rhetorical flourishes. It will be achieved through intensified work on concrete diplomatic and political initiatives. This is my focus. It will remain the focus of this Government. I commend the motion to the House.

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