Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The position of the Government is clear in respect of the awful events we are witnessing in the Middle East. There should be an immediate and full ceasefire. Hamas should release all the hostages and humanitarian aid should be allowed in to the people of Gaza immediately. That is the position of the Government and it is what we will continue to advocate for at all the international forums in which we participate.

The Sinn Féin Bill on this issue, as the Deputy will know, was subject to a timed amendment. Departmental officials have engaged with the foreign affairs committee, of which the Deputy is a member. In fact, they have appeared before the committee in respect of this issue. The committee's Chair has written to me recommending that the Bill be subject to further analysis by the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach. I am giving active consideration to the issues involved here and expect to come to a conclusion shortly, at which point I will make a recommendation to the Government.

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