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

I thank the Deputies for their questions. Prime Minister Orbán of Hungary did not use his veto to block talks with Ukraine on membership. In fairness to him, he made his case and made it very strongly. He could have vetoed it but chose not to. It is unfair to mischaracterise him because by not using the veto he allowed European countries to proceed with the majority decision. He was not willing to do that as regards the budget. I hope we can come to a solution on 1 February. If we have to, there is a workaround. The other 26 member states could provide the financial package to Ukraine anyway on a multilateral or bilateral basis. What we would then lose out on, however, is the other aspect of the package, although it is a smaller one, which is about innovation, migration, helping to secure the external borders of the European Union, and investments in the western Balkans. It would be a shame to lose the package and only be able to proceed with the Ukraine element. For that reason, I hope we can come to a solution.

No conclusions were agreed on Gaza for a very simple reason. The majority of EU member states, including Ireland, wanted a specific call for a ceasefire. That was blocked by a minority of states, which take the view that the call for a ceasefire would not be adhered to by Hamas and would restrict Israel in anti-terrorist activities. We do not agree with that assessment but that is the reason they gave.

On Palestine, I reaffirm the Government's firm support for Palestinian statehood. It is not a gift to be given by Israel. The people of Palestine have a right to secure a homeland. We need to redouble our efforts at all levels to make sure that happens. We also respect Israel's right to defend itself, not just against other countries that attack it but terrorist organisations supported by other countries that attack it. However, the response in Gaza has been disproportionate and is in breach of international humanitarian law.

On the Genocide Convention, I restate that the Government supports the work of the ICJ and the ICC. We recognise their judgments and we provide those courts with funding. They have a very important role to play when it comes to accountability and deterrents. However, we have to be clear and honest with people on this. The ICJ did not stop the war in Ukraine and will not be able to stop the war in Gaza. I am not aware of any war that has ever been stopped by a court order. Wars end in one of three ways: military victory by one side over the other; an armistice or frozen conflict such as that in Korea; or a political and diplomatic settlement. We are putting our efforts into a political and diplomatic settlement, including a humanitarian ceasefire to allow aid to get in, the killing to stop and hostages to be released, followed by a permanent ceasefire, which would involve Hamas fighters and leaders leaving Gaza-----

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