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

I accept what the Deputy is saying. War crimes have been committed. I am in no doubt about that. What is happening is a shocking humanitarian catastrophe. The most immediate priority is this Friday, when the UN General Assembly will consider the question of admitting Palestine to the United Nations to enjoy the rights and the full gamut of what is available as a member. That vote and the scale of the vote is important. We are supporting and co-sponsoring it with a view to ensuring as large a number of people as possible support Palestinian membership. That would give further impetus and international urgency to this and also to the question of recognition of a Palestinian state. That vote on Friday is important in that respect.

On the occupied territories Bill, the advice is clear. We have no legal jurisdiction in that it is a EU legal competency. That is the legal advice from successive Attorneys General at this stage and it seems to us that the majority of senior legal opinion is to that effect. I am open to-----

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