Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

From day one the Government has been very clear and unequivocal in our demands at home and abroad when engaging with partners in Europe and across the globe. We are calling for four actions: an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, urgent and effective humanitarian access, the protection of civilians, and the release of all hostages. I utterly condemn the violence committed in Israel and Gaza since 7 October and the disproportionate response we have seen coming from the Israeli Government in the intervening period.

Gaza is one of the most densely populated areas on earth. It is 41 km long and only 6 km wide. A total of 1.9 of the 2.1 million residents have been displaced, with over 25,000 people killed, 70% of whom are women and children. I condemn Israel for its collective punishment of the most vulnerable people in Gaza. The conditions there at present are inhumane and intolerable. We continue to assert maximum pressure through all available channels to put an end to this war and to get critical supplies to those who need them.

We have seen the wilful destruction of key infrastructure, schools and hospitals, and the denial of healthcare and humanitarian assistance to the most vulnerable, including the elderly, young children and pregnant women. This is utterly reprehensible. Furthermore, it is thought that more than 400,000 people in Gaza are experiencing famine and starvation. The violence has done untold damage to the future achievement of a peaceful resolution and the international goal of a two-state solution. We will further see a cause for radicalisation of younger people in the region as they see less certainty for their future and homeland.

At EU level we have sought out like-minded countries to collaborate. We co-authored a letter with Belgium, Spain and Malta calling for a ceasefire ahead of the European Council last December. We have contributed to the strong stance from the UN, which received broad support from international partners during the emergency session of the General Assembly. It called for an immediate ceasefire, that humanitarian access be ensured, and the protection of civilians as is provided for under humanitarian law.

I have also raised our position at each of the General Affairs Council meetings in Brussels since the war broke out. The Tánaiste has done the same when visiting the Middle East and when travelling elsewhere, most recently calling for this at the Foreign Affairs Council on Monday and when meeting the German Foreign Minister last week.

The Irish Government and our diplomatic network are recognised for our strong positions, our reputation as peacekeepers and brokers and our efforts towards de-escalation. I have witnessed this first hand throughout the EU and at UN level. Unfortunately, we have seen things deteriorate further in the region with attacks on shipping in the Red Sea by Houthis in Yemen. This not only puts lives and crews in danger but it is having an increasingly serious impact on global trade. We have seen time and again that when trade is disrupted it is always the poorest and most vulnerable citizens who suffer the most. Thus, we have to intensively involve and work for de-escalation efforts, including in Yemen and Lebanon, as a widening conflict in the region could have devastating consequences.

Ireland is a long-standing supporter of the International Criminal Court, committing additional voluntary funding already this year of €3 million to assist its work, including in relation to Palestine. Last week the ICJ held hearings with South Africa and Israel, which are the parties to the case. We are following proceedings very closely as a government and will make a decision on whether to intervene after the court has made its preliminary decision, which is due next week. This is the process of the court.

We have participated in two advisory opinion cases relating to Israel and the occupation of Palestine. One is ongoing. Ireland will participate in oral hearings in this case in The Hague next month, when the Attorney General is due to represent the Government.

The actions and the collective punishment in Gaza in recent months are reprehensible. The Government is doing everything it can, including at the recent European Council meetings on tangible sanctions against aggressive settlers in the West Bank. We heard the numbers articulated by the Tánaiste regarding 119 Palestinian households being displaced, 358 people dead and 91 children murdered as a result of this action. This is why the European Council needs to be strong and to put forward strong and robust sanctions to ensure Israel is held to account. We have to put faith in the process of the ICC. Ireland is a big supporter of the court through funding and through our diplomatic network.

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