Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I condemn the actions of the Government of Israel, the incursion into Lebanon and what it is doing in Gaza, on a daily basis. The difference between the Deputy and me is that I am consistent. I believe breaches of international law are wrong no matter who carries them out, whereas the Deputy believes they are wrong if it suits his political agenda. What would he have said if those Iranian missiles had landed last night? What would he have done? Would he have engaged in a bit of whataboutery? What Iran did last night is dangerous and should be condemned. What Israel has done in relation to Lebanon should be condemned. I am clear on that. It is an incursion in breach of the UN Charter but it is really easy when one applies international law consistently.

We are very worried about this.

The Deputy is quite right. We have a significant number of peacekeepers, with whom I have been in contact, on the ground in Lebanon. I met the UN Secretary General, António Guterres, specifically on this issue and I spoke to the Lebanese Prime Minister directly on this matter last night. I can assure the House, because I am sure this is to the fore of the Deputy's mind and it certainly is to mine, that the safety of those troops is the absolute paramount concern for this Government and for the people of Ireland. We have been assured of their safety and have a contingency plan in place and for all eventualities. We continue to monitor that closely.

We believe very clearly there needs to be de-escalation, full implementation of the UN Security Council resolution and an immediate ceasefire. That is the position we say in public and private regardless of who breaks international law.

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