Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

This is a big day for Teachtaí Michael McGrath and Chambers. They are elevated to high office as this Government is in its endgame, as Europe stands at a crossroads and as the world watches on at the relentless slaughter in Gaza. My first message to the Government and to its nominee to the European Commission is that nobody representing the Irish people can support Ursula von der Leyen for a second term as President of the Commission. She has acted in support of Israel as it slaughters Palestinian children, civilians and refugees. She has enabled to Israeli impunity as it breaks every rule of international law. Ireland must confront and condemn these actions. Ireland must stand with Palestine and Palestinian rights to self-determination and an end of occupation, annexation and apartheid. This is the most impactful and only position worthy of an Irish Commissioner.

We are now in the endgame of the Government. This is a Government that marked the long-awaited consummation of the Fine Gael-Fianna Fáil partnership. Parties in government together since 2016, they have held power individually and together since the foundation of the State. These are parties that above all else display a total commitment and belief to staying in power. These are parties of the insider class, the political establishment and a political cartel.

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