Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

To the Taoiseach, I say that nobody has a monopoly on compassion for any tragedy to be discussed in this House, no less one that incorporates a genocide that is being inflicted on the people of Gaza, so let us just park that issue there.

Equally, few of us have had the opportunity that the Taoiseach had in the past week to stare square in the eye the people who are arming those perpetrating the genocide. Two things the Taoiseach failed to mention were first, genocide, and, second, the sale of arms.

The Taoiseach has brought to the House the opportunity to bring forward the occupied territories Bill ,which is, of course, welcome but we are very close to the calling of a general election. The Taoiseach said he will engage with the Opposition next week. What does that mean in reality? He said that there will be amendments to the Bill. As the Taoiseach is in government, why does he offer this faux attempt at a sort of reunification of the House at this point? He can tell the House what amendments are necessary, whether the Government will bring them and when we can pass them, because the situation is too urgent for any more equivocation.

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