Cathy Bennett (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I understand the Department's position is that the officials provide a thorough risk-assessment to ensure that, in the Minister of State's own words, as far as possible, items are only used for their stated purpose. The Government has intervened in a case before the International Court of Justice where Israel is on trial for the crime of genocide. The Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Fine Gael Party leader, has referenced revenge, deliberate starvation and war crimes committed by Israel. Does the Minister of State not believe it would be prudent for her to have responsibility for ensuring Ireland is certain we do not export any component that could be used in committing war crimes against Palestinian civilians?

At this time, when the House has rightly named Israel's actions in Gaza as genocide, and when the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs speaks of Israeli war crimes, does the Minister of State, with certainty within her powers, believe "as far as possible" is an acceptable standard?

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