Ivana Bacik (Dublin Bay South, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Since the House last sat, provisional orders have been made by the International Court of Justice in the case taken by South Africa against Israel. This represents a significant step forward towards achieving justice for the people of Gaza. As we know, the court has now affirmed the gravity of the accusations against Israel and has called for preservation of human life for allowing humanitarian aid to pass and effectively for an end to the bombardment. All these measures are needed to stop war crimes and genocide in Gaza.

Last week, the Dáil passed a motion which binds the Government as a matter of urgency to strongly consider an intervention in the South African case once preliminary orders have been made. While that wording was weaker than the working of the Sadaka draft of the cross-party motion that we in Labour had pushed for, nonetheless, now that preliminary orders have been made, will the Taoiseach set out exactly when the Government will make a decision on joining the case? I know there is to be a debate in the House tonight but it is a matter of huge urgency. We have seen more horrific deaths of civilians in Gaza over the weekend.

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