Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

As the Deputy suggested, I am happy to tease through and debate those issues when we publish and introduce legislation. I do want to engage with Senator Black. I have been in contact with her directly in recent days and look forward to meeting her on the issue next Tuesday. Of course, I would much rather be in a position in which we could in this House say the ceasefire is holding, the hostages have been released, the humanitarian aid is flowing and we have an Arab plan. Six weeks ago, it was beginning to look like we were moving in that direction, but things have moved in a very bad direction since then, to put it mildly.

On protests, I do not want to say anything that cuts across what are likely to be ongoing investigations by, I presume, GSOC and others. Protest has a very important role to play in any democracy. This is a proud, enduring democracy and people feel extraordinarily strongly and passionate about what they see in regard to Gaza and children. The Garda has a job to do, so I need to allow GSOC to examine the matter. People obviously have a right to protest.

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