Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)

I deplore antisemitism, as does everybody in this House. We should speak with one voice in condemning antisemitism in all its forms. It needs to be called out and we all need to do more, as countries, as the European Union and as a global community, to stamp out antisemitism. That is beyond doubt.

Separate and distinct from what I just said, we will continue, as a country, to speak up for our values as a people in terms of human rights, the work of the ICJ and our feeling of obligation to be in compliance with ICJ advisory opinions. That is where this legislation has come from. It came from the fact that an international court of justice looked at the situation in the illegally occupied territories and has called on countries like Ireland - in my view, it has compelled countries - to act. We would not be true to our values, nor, I believe, to our obligations and the work of the ICJ, if we did not act.

In respect of the United States, we will not respond to bombast but we will continue to respectfully engage. I look forward to engaging with the new US ambassador on a whole range of topics. I will have a substantive meeting with him next week. I will continue to engage with my counterpart, Secretary of State Rubio, and with the commerce secretary and the trade representative. The Taoiseach will continue to engage with the President on all issues to do with our bilateral relationship.

Senior level engagement with the United States is a top priority for me. It is also identified as a priority in the programme for Government, which includes a commitment to "strengthen our political, cultural, economic and trade relationship with the US at all levels, recognising the unique significance of the transatlantic relationship between us". Our embassy in Washington DC, the staff of which I thank for their great work, is continually engaged with a number of committees across Congress, particularly the Senate and House committees that deal with foreign relations. This provides an opportunity to ensure Ireland's foreign policy, including on the Middle East, is well known and, I hope, understood in key Congressional committees.

It is easy to talk when there is agreement on everything. It is harder, but more important, to continue to engage when there are points of difference. We do that in a manner that is respectful of the deep relationship between Ireland and the US.

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