Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I will firstly respond to the question Deputy Howlin has asked about an independent investigation into the deaths of more than 100 Palestinians as they sought aid in Gaza by saying that like him, I am appalled by the horrible deaths of Palestinians queuing for aid in Gaza City last week. I join the calls made by EU High Representative Borrell and UN Secretary General Guterres, among others, for a credible and impartial investigation to establish the facts of this appalling incident. Those responsible must to be held to account.

International humanitarian law is unambiguous on this point; Israel must protect civilians and ensure basic services in Gaza. The humanitarian crisis that is unfolding is man-made and is completely unacceptable. Civilians in Gaza, many of whom, as the Deputy says, are now on the brink of famine, urgently need the violence to stop. A significant and sustained increase in humanitarian aid is required. All parties to the conflict have a responsibility to ensure there is full, safe and unhindered humanitarian access.

Israel must take immediate and effective measures to enable the provision of urgently needed basic services and humanitarian assistance in Gaza. Since the ICJ made an order for provisional measures in this regard in late January, humanitarian assistance entering Gaza by land has halved and the World Food Programme, WFP, and UNRWA have had to withdraw from distributing aid in northern Gaza given the deterioration of the security situation.

In recent weeks I have consistently advocated for all partners who suspended funding to UNRWA to rescind this decision immediately. Last month, I announced €20 million in core funding to UNRWA to support the organisation's vital and life-saving work. I welcomed the announcement last week by the EU Commission that it was releasing €50 million of urgently needed funding for UNRWA, with more to follow. This will allow it to continue its essential work.

We continue to focus our diplomatic engagement on the urgent need for an immediate ceasefire, the unconditional release of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, and a massive scale-up in humanitarian access.

See this speech in context