Seán Haughey (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I wish the Taoiseach all the best on his announcement this morning. In regard to the question, I hope that review will take place as soon as possible. It is clear that the Taoiseach delivered a very strong message in Washington regarding the urgent need for a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza. As we know, aid agencies have warned of an imminent famine in the enclave. An unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe is unfolding. The EU's foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, has spoken about how starvation is being used as a weapon of war by Israel. The international community has finally woken up to this appalling situation, better late than never. Humanitarian aid needs to get into Gaza by land, sea and air. Ireland is to be commended on its continuing funding of UNRWA. Canada and Sweden have resumed funding of the agency and the EU Commission is now providing €50 million to it. The EU has also opened up a corridor from Cyprus. The US promises to build a port to ship in vital aid and Jordan is co-ordinating airdrops with other countries. However, Israel must open up the land crossings.

In his talks in Washington, did the Taoiseach get any grounds for hope that a sustained scaling up of the delivery of humanitarian assistance could be organised? Could Ireland offer any practical assistance to get aid into Gaza, perhaps by working with other countries?

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