Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Solidarity)

I am finding it hard to see how we are still here when thousands of babies died in Gaza last night while food trucks with baby formula and baby food were sitting nearby. Netanyahu has issued evacuation orders to annihilate Gaza, and his finance minister has said, "the world still hasn't stopped us". He is right. I do not want to hear about how the Government is the best in the class, because all of the others are so terrible. The EU and the West have allowed this genocide to happen and they are not lifting a finger.

I want to ask the Tánaiste about Ireland's action, not statements or words. Can he identify one serious sanction taken by Ireland to stop Israel? No action has been taken at Shannon Airport, which is used by the US, which is backing the genocide, to refuel. The Central Bank is processing war bonds. The occupied territories Bill will be delayed and watered down by the Government.

Let us contrast this with what the Government did against Russia. Will the Tánaiste agree, for example, to do what it did in respect of Russia when it invaded Ukraine and freeze all Israeli assets in Ireland now? Will the Government issue travel bans against Israeli people, soldiers and business people who have businesses here and are supporting the genocide? Would the Tánaiste agree to do that? That is the type of action we need, not more words.

See this speech in context