Ivana Bacik (Dublin Bay South, Labour)

Israel is perpetrating a genocide; a genocide upon the people of Gaza. This motion recognises that. As we watch in horror the new atrocities being committed upon Palestinian civilians each day, there are more children and babies killed and injured and starving before our eyes and families being wiped out like the family of Dr. Alaa al-Najjar. We must do more and we can and must show leadership.

One year ago today, Ireland showed leadership in recognising the State of Palestine. That was hugely welcome and this Labour Party motion is our constructive proposal for Ireland to show leadership again on the world stage at UN level. I thank all of those parties across the Opposition which have co-signed this motion. I commend Deputy Duncan Smith, our foreign affairs spokesperson, on bring forward the motion. I thank the Government parties for not opposing this motion. That shows the common resolve in this House to use every lever available to us and to take every practical step we can to stop the slaughter in Gaza.

Yes, the motion proposes a bold proposal, a big ask. Yes, we know there are processes under way at UN level. The Tánaiste outlined those earlier. We know there is a high-level conference on Palestine and the two-state solution due to take place next month and that is welcome. It is welcome to see Ireland take a leading role in that. However, these processes are moving too slowly and just because these processes are under way does not mean we cannot do more to alleviate the horrific suffering of the children in Gaza. We can and we must do more.

This motion is significant. It is significant that across the House we have now agreed the Israeli Government is carrying out a genocide in Gaza. Those are powerful words in this motion. It is significant that those who signed this motion have condemned the brutal attacks by Hamas and called again for the unconditional release of all hostages. It is hugely significant that all of us who signed this motion, and we who proposed it, are mandating the Government to table a resolution before the UN General Assembly to note the failure of the UN Security Council and call for collective measures to enable development of a lasting ceasefire, a sustainable peace agreement and the creation of an international peacekeeping force for Gaza. That is what children, families and civilians in Gaza need now. We welcome the Government's non-opposition to this motion and I very much welcome the Tánaiste's strong words earlier, that he will "work constructively with the Labour Party and others ... [to] advance this motion."

However, we need more than words. We need to see action from Government on how and when this motion will be advanced. I ask the Minister of State and I will ask the Tánaiste and the Taoiseach - and I will repeatedly ask - how and when will this motion be implemented? When will a motion be brought before the UN General Assembly to bring about a sustainable peace in Gaza and to bring about the creation of an international peacekeeping force to ensure aid is delivered to the starving children and babies in Gaza?

I see the Taoiseach is present and again I call upon him and his Government to do as the Tánaiste has committed to do and to work with us across the House constructively to advance this motion and ensure that Ireland, once again, plays a leadership role on the world stage to end the suffering of the people of Gaza and to end this genocide.

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