Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I have been very clear on the EU, and I have said it many times. I said it in my previous role as well that I think the European Union, in many parts of the world, could have done even more to apply more pressure to bring about a ceasefire. However, I am very conscious, in the context in which we are talking tonight, that there is a ceasefire in place but the ceasefire is extraordinarily fragile. There have been remarks in the past number of hours that are alarming, concerning and threaten to further undermine that ceasefire. We need the hostages released. They need to be back with their families. We need the aid to flow and an ability to get humanitarian aid at scale into Gaza. Any return to hostilities, conflict and violence would be unbearable.

The agreement on a hostage release and ceasefire deal was long awaited. It was much welcomed. Too many innocent people have been killed in Gaza and in Israel since the conflict commenced. The US has played an important role in helping to secure the ceasefire and I really believe there is a role for everybody in the international community to do everything humanly possible to keep that ceasefire in place. That must be our immediate priority.

I welcome the association agreement meeting. I will speak up very strongly with regard to Ireland's views on all these matters but maintaining the ceasefire has to be the immediate priority.

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