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

In November of last year, a mere three months ago, I sat with the Taoiseach in a committee room for a meeting of the foreign affairs committee and he assured all those present and, more importantly, the public watching at home that one of the first acts of this new Dáil would be the enactment of the occupied territories Bill. It is now very clear that this is not his intention. This morning, we woke up to the President of the United States and the war criminal Benjamin Netanyahu divulging that they intend to ethnically cleanse Gaza of its 1.8 million citizens and turn it into some form of dystopian Disneyland. Is it the intention of the Irish State to say anything at all? Does the Taoiseach intend to express his revulsion to the American ambassador to Ireland at such a suggestion? Does he intend to bring forward a co-ordinated response at EU level? When will we actually see some form of legislation in respect of the occupied territories Bill? I understand the Taoiseach's fear. We are all watching for the tariffs that are coming through but they are coming for us anyway. People like Donald Trump do not recognise weakness. They recognise people who stand up, say it like it is and respond. What will be the Taoiseach's response?

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