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

I have several points to make to the Deputy. In terms of diplomacy, the Deputy scoffed at and scorned it. More than 70 Irish citizens and their dependants have been evacuated from Gaza. The importance of diplomatic relationships or channels cannot be overstated in the context of getting those 70 citizens and their dependants out. Our ambassador in Israel, Sonya McGuinness, has done exceptional work there, as have our representative to the Palestinian Authority and our ambassador in Cairo.

The Deputy's colleagues have pleaded with me to try to facilitate the evacuation of more people from Gaza. I put it to her that, realistically, if her view had taken root much earlier and if we had expelled the ambassador on day one, those 70 people would not have got out.

The Deputy can reflect on that whatever she wishes, but in my view that is the reality of the situation. I have received calls to expel the Russian ambassador and I have received calls to expel the Iranian ambassador. We need a debate in the House and an understanding of what diplomacy is about. It is not about endorsing any government or regime. Diplomacy is about maintaining channels of communication and especially in times of terrible conflict and war. We need to keep the channels open.

All of us in this House agree the humanitarian situation is shocking. I do not think there should be any disagreement in the House about the need to have an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. Irish people are repulsed and outraged at the scenes they see on television of children being killed from bombardments, bombings, starvation through a man-made famine and so forth. One of the most effective things we have done is our support of UNRWA, which is under great threat. The Israeli Government has sought to undermine UNRWA not just because of its humanitarian role but more fundamentally because it is connected to the right to return of Palestinian refugees. We have resisted that very strongly. Philippe Lazzarini, the head of UNRWA, has acknowledged that. We have asked people not to pause the funding. Everyone we have talked to privately in the US or anywhere acknowledges that without UNRWA we would not be able to assist effectively and comprehensively the people of Gaza, either now or in the context of a reconstruction of Gaza which will have to happen after this terrible war ends.

No one is using Shannon Airport for any weaponry to go into Gaza or Israel. There are very clear provisions on Irish sovereign airspace and the use of Irish airports, including the Air Navigation (Foreign Military Aircraft) Order 1952 in respect of military aircraft and also in terms of civilian aircraft. There are clear, stringent and robust conditions attached to any overflights.

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