Ivana Bacik (Dublin Bay South, Labour)

In December 2022, I wrote to the Taoiseach, who was the then Tánaiste, and the then Taoiseach, former Deputy Leo Varadkar, seeking updates on the national security strategy and also seeking briefings for Opposition leaders on national security, as is standard in many countries. That was in the context of Russia's brutal war in Ukraine, the cyberattack on the HSE and reports of Russian spies in Ireland. Since then, desperately sadly and tragically, we have seen 20 months of Israel's genocidal bombardment and onslaught upon the people of Gaza and, most recently, an escalating war in the Middle East with Israel now openly attacking Iran. I urge restraint, as I know the Taoiseach has done, from both Israel and Iran. I ask this because EU foreign ministers are to meet with southern neighbourhood countries next Monday, 23 June. I understand those countries include Israel. In light of what Israel is doing on the world stage and in Gaza, will Ireland be participating in that meeting with Israel? Has the Taoiseach called for Israel not to be included in that meeting?

Closer to home, I also want to ask about a story that has been highlighted by my colleague, Deputy Alan Kelly, on concerns about the control of firearms in Ireland, in particular with how the Garda Commissioner handled the incident around a controlled delivery to a vulnerable young man. Deputy Kelly has also raised issues with holsters and the storage of weapons in Garda headquarters. Is the Taoiseach satisfied with the Commissioner and with An Garda Síochána's handling of these matters?

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