Mairéad Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

We are meeting here today at a time when the torture of the people of Gaza and Palestine continues. At this moment in time, we really need to consider our role and what we can do on the international stage. The Minister, Deputy Ryan, continues to tell us that US military planes landing in Shannon Airport are not carrying weapons bound for Israel despite his acknowledgement that no serious checks are made on these planes. Since 7 October, 11 direct flights to and from Israel and 85 flights to distribution points in the Middle East have been recorded. This count underscores the frequency and scale of military transits via Shannon Airport.

Today, three peace activists were in court in Ennis as a result of having attempted to check these planes themselves. The matter has now been referred to the Circuit Court. The Government takes a "don't ask, don't tell" approach to this issue but we are talking about potential complicity in Israeli genocide. These peace activists are not happy with such an approach and neither am I. Like many of us in this House, they know that there are serious questions to be asked about the use of Shannon Airport during the Iraq war, when extraordinary rendition flights were landing there, and even today. These serious questions must be answered. The three activists, Áine Ní Thréinir, Aindriú de Buitléir agus Eimear Walshe, are being criminalised for protesting Ireland's complicity in genocide. They deserve our support and respect.

The time has come for full-blown sanctions on Israel, a murderous regime that has now killed as many as 185,000 people. If we cannot ask questions and get answers to those questions now, when can we?

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