Thomas Gould (Cork North-Central, Sinn Fein)

I acknowledge that this Government has done more than many governments in relation to what has been said on Palestine and through recognising Palestine.

Earlier, I listened to the Tánaiste speak about the Labour Party's motion and state he would work constructively with the party. I welcome that, but yesterday we heard in this Chamber a disgraceful speech by the Minister about why he was opposing Sinn Féin’s Bill on the sale of Israeli bonds – blood money to pay for the slaughter of innocent men, women and children in Gaza. Therefore, for all the work this Government thinks it is doing, its not standing against the sale of the bonds in this country makes it complicit in genocide. That is a fact. Will the Government not stand up and make it unequivocal that Ireland will not be a haven for the Israeli war bonds and blood money? There is blood on the hands of the Americans, British, French, Germans and all the other countries that sell weapons and bombs to Israel. Why should we be complicit in the selling of bonds to give Israel money to buy those weapons? Will the Minister not stand with us? Will he not stand with the Irish people and tell the Israelis that we will not turn a blind eye to what is happening and not turn our backs on the people of Palestine? For the love of God, will the Government not support the Bill?

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