Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am absolutely appalled at the state of devastation in Gaza, that is, the destruction of homes and the murder of innocent women and children, who are victims of the appalling aggression shown by the Israel Defense Forces. I am also appalled at the lack of a solution at this stage. Notwithstanding the fact many governments, in the Middle East, Europe and other parts of the world, are making every possible effort to find peace and get a ceasefire, that has not been successful or achieved up to now. From talking to young people, I know how disgusted they are at the appalling loss of life.

As for what we can do about it, outside Leinster House today, three flags as well as our own are flying. There is the Palestinian flag, the Ukrainian flag and the European Union flag, and that shows we embrace peace and finding solutions to problems through Europe. It is our job to press inside the European Union with our colleagues and friendly nations on the same side as us on this issue that there must be significant intervention now. Its absence will only continue this appalling death and evil that are being visited on the people of Palestine, which is absolutely and totally abhorrent.

I also absolutely condemn what Hamas has done to innocent men, women and children in Israel and the appalling acts it carried out. Israel is using an acceptable level of force in response, and there are other ways of getting outcomes that will destroy Hamas and, at the same time, not kill all the innocent civilians who are being murdered every day and night.

I welcome the orders of the International Court of Justice, the prime body that makes comments and judgments on international human rights and this humanitarian crisis. It is absolutely essential that Israel accept the orders of the International Court of Justice, halt its offensive and, in particular, allow aid into Gaza. These court orders are binding and Israel must be seen to comply with international law. As the Tánaiste has noted, if Israel fails to comply with Friday's international court ruling, we have to consider all options with our EU partners to ensure the upholding of international law. One symbol the flags of the two countries I mentioned and of the European Union represent to me is the lack of power the United Nations has as a body. It can pass resolutions left, right and centre and it can send peacekeeping soldiers from various member states to countries in Africa and the Middle East to enforce peace or to ensure peace results, but in both Ukraine and Palestine, that is not happening. That shows a real weakness at the very heart of the United Nations, whereby it is failing in its duty of care to protect the most vulnerable people, both in Ukraine and in Palestine.

I agree with and fully support all the actions of the Government. The Tánaiste, as Minister for Foreign Affairs, has been exceptionally diligent and outspoken in condemning the actions of Israel, and that is appropriate and proper. We in Ireland have a long history of occupation by a foreign power. It does not go back just 100 years but several hundred years. It has in the past been a source of war and terror for many citizens through many generations. Thankfully, that all ended with the Good Friday Agreement and our relationship with Britain, North-South and east-west, has significantly improved following the Good Friday Agreement. It is a peace agreement that could be signed by all the parties involved, and I think that is the only way forward. I support and strongly urge the Government to continue its efforts and I back all the actions it takes, including the recognition of the Palestinian state.

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