Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome that the Tánaiste is saying it has changed the situation. I would like him to outline how that has changed for Ireland and what, concretely, that means. A total of 500 people have lost their lives in less than a year in the West Bank, a war that continues without any recognition. Now we have this advisory opinion telling us we are all under an obligation. I repeat that I am not given to propaganda or exaggeration but I am in despair at what is happening in Gaza, as many other people are. Yes, the Tánaiste has had some very strong words, but unfortunately the action is not following. One concrete way to do that is to enact the occupied territories Bill. I am glad the Tánaiste is going back to get further advice. Five hundred are dead in one year alone there. That could have been enacted before but we did not do that. Senator Black introduced that Bill in 2018 or 2019 and it has never been enacted. I have no idea why the Tánaiste is still reluctant to go ahead with that Bill.

See this speech in context