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

We have taken considerable actions to date and we will take more. As I stated, the Attorney General will represent Ireland at the International Criminal Court in The Hague on 22 February to make the case against the occupation of Gaza and the West Bank. We are in discussions with other EU member states about recognising statehood and doing it in a meaningful way. Spain is the main country with which we are discussing that. It would not be fair of me to disclose the names of the other countries; it is for them to do so. Suffice to say that Belgium, which currently holds the Presidency, would not be in a position to do so while it holds the Presidency.

We need to be honest about the situation we see unfolding in the Middle East. We have taken action and we will even take more action but it is clear to me that the Israeli Government does not listen to us or the rest of the world. It probably does not even listen to the Americans any more. That is what makes the situation all the more dangerous and worrying. We need to be honest with people about that, too. I am concerned that there are people who shout at us and abuse us on the streets. Maybe they do not do it to the Deputy but they certainly do it to me and my colleagues. They believe there is some action we can take that will change Benjamin Netanyahu's mind. That is incorrect and I do not think people should spread that idea. It is irresponsible, actually.

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