Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

If we could measure empathy and compassion in decibels, I would not win and Deputy Boyd Barrett would, but the reality is he does not have a monopoly on concern for the people of Palestine. He certainly does not have a monopoly on concern for our peacekeeping troops, something I am updated on several times a day. We are in constant contact with our peacekeepers and keeping them safe is the number one priority of this Government and the United Nations, and we work on that on a round-the-clock basis.

I will make a point more broadly. It does not relate to anything Deputy Boyd Barrett specifically said, but to the broader issue of being able to differentiate between the people of Israel and the many people of the Jewish faith who live in this country and the policies pursued by the government of Netanyahu. At a time of heightened concern, including from the Government, and condemnation of the actions of the Israeli Government, I wish to differentiate clearly, and let those people know I can differentiate very clearly, between the people of Israel and the actions of Netanyahu and his government.

Ours is a Government that by any fair measure is acting. I find it peculiar that it is only when I engage with Deputy Boyd Barrett that he suggests there is inaction. When I sit down with the Palestinian President, he thanks me for the actions we are taking on behalf of the Irish people. When I sit down with the Palestinian Prime Minister, he thanks me for the actions we are taking. When I spoke to the Prime Minister-----

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