Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

This is not a time when we can engage in the usual political bartering for positions. I say this regardless of whether Ursula von der Leyen has been perfectly politically correct in everything else she has done. She has not, by the way. I have acknowledged that there are areas in which Ursula von der Leyen was of substantial assistance to Ireland, but on the humanitarian issue that will globally define the credibility and status of states and international organisations for generations to come, she has severely damaged the credibility of the EU's stated purpose to be a vehicle for peace, justice, human rights and the rule of law. When she stood in Tel Aviv the day after an Israeli minister announced to the world that it was Israel's intention to starve the people of Gaza of food, water, electricity and medical supplies and she said that Europe stood with Israel, she became an unviable voice for Europe. I do not know how the Government, which has been on the right page concerning many aspects of this conflict, has not said that clearly. If Europe is to have a role in international conflict resolution and peacebuilding, Ursula von der Leyen cannot be President of the Commission, as that would negate any prospect of us playing that role at global level.

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