Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am so sick and tired of the Deputy misrepresenting my position and demeaning all that we do as sweet words. I would really love - I am not sure I would actually - if some time she were in Brussels with me at some of these meetings where we are working extraordinarily hard on these issues. She could ask any other member state, or indeed the Israeli Government, if they feel Ireland is not taking action to support the people of Palestine. She asked me not to talk about what we have done in terms of recognition so I will not. I will tell her five things we are doing.

First, we are actively involved in the International Court of Justice case. That used to be the Opposition's demand. We took that decision as one of only a small number of countries to intervene in a case in the international court. At a time when international courts are coming under attack from others, we are proudly standing with the international courts and speaking up for international law. That is something I am proud we are doing. That is an action; that is not sweet words. I presume the Deputy recognises the importance of international courts. That is a practical measure.

The second thing we are doing is providing significant humanitarian aid. My colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Richmond, has responsibility for this. Today we have trucks in Jordan with enough aid for 6,000 people in Gaza. Those are practical measures taken by the Deputy's constituents and mine to fund and pay for aid. We need to get that aid into Gaza but it is a practical measure. It is not sweet words; do not be so flippant.

The third thing we are doing is supporting UNRWA. The Deputy should talk to the director general of UNRWA and ask him how supportive this Government has been. Not only have we provided €38 million at a time when others have walked away and walked off the pitch from UNRWA, we have provided €38 million on behalf of the people of this country. I have also announced in my role as Tánaiste a further €20 million in support to keep UNRWA working in Gaza and the Middle East. That is a practical measure and not sweet words, or the flippant point the Deputy made

. The next thing we have done is work with Arab countries. I have met the minister of Jordan, the minister in Egypt and the Palestinian Prime Minister in recent weeks in Munich and Johannesburg. I have met these people and we are supporting the Arab plan for reconstruction. We are saying to people, including the United States, that we see their plan on the displacement of people from Palestine as utterly unacceptable and in breach of international law. We want an alternative plan for Gaza that sees no role for Hamas, a brutal and illegal terrorist organisation. I am sure the Deputy will agree with that. However, it sees the reconstruction of Gaza and a new governance and security arrangement in place. That is the fourth thing.

The fifth practical thing we are doing is engaging to advance the commitment in the programme for Government to legislate on the occupied territories. Those are five practical measures that do not include the recognition of the State of Palestine, and that we are taking to help them. They are not sweet words, but real action. You know what?; diplomacy is tough. It takes real action. In fact, if anyone is talking sweet words, it is only the Deputy.

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