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

Yes. According to the Gaza Health Ministry, more than 37,100 Palestinians have been killed since the beginning of the war between Israel and Hamas on 7 October. On that day, 1,200 Israelis were killed in the Hamas attacks. Meanwhile the Israeli offensive on Gaza continues unabated. The Israeli operation in the past few days to free four of the hostages resulted in the death and injury of hundreds of Palestinians, including many women and children.

Ireland was one of the first countries in the EU to call for a humanitarian ceasefire to stop the madness. As we know, the US Administration has brought forward a three-phase ceasefire plan and this has now been adopted by the UN Security Council. What is the Taoiseach's understanding of this ceasefire plan? What is the Irish position in this regard? Are Israel and Hamas likely to support it? Are there grounds for hope that this terrible war is coming to an end?

My second question relates to the phone conversation with President Erdogan of Türkiye. The European Commission published a joint communication on the current position concerning EU-Türkiye relations last November. Certainly, it is in the interests of the EU to have good relations with Türkiye, particularly as regards migration, for example.

During the Taoiseach's phone conversation, did he get the impression that Türkiye is serious about its EU application and is making the necessary reforms? President Erdoğan is a populist leader and has good relations with Russia. Where stands Türkiye's application to join the EU at this stage?

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