Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Political leaders across Europe are well behind the people on this matter. The reality is that Europe should be doing more.

Let me be clear about the United States. It is in no doubt at all about the position of the people and Government of Ireland about Gaza, Palestine and the need for a ceasefire and a two-state solution. I share the Deputy's view passionately and at every meeting I have attended since becoming Taoiseach, in public and private, I have consistently argued that the European Union should be doing more and should be using the review of the EU-Israel Association Agreement to bring about the circumstances for a ceasefire. That is my view. It is also the view of Pedro Sánchez, the Prime Minister of Spain. We have worked with him on this and will continue to do so. I will be with him at the European Council and I will have an opportunity to discuss this directly with him. I will continually make the case for Europe to do more throughout the week.

The point I will be honest about - it will not come as a surprise to anyone - is that there is no consensus at EU level. In the context of the ICJ advisory opinion, we can now re-examine what more Ireland can do because the ICJ advisory opinion places an obligation - not just a request - on us as a country that supports the ICJ to act.

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