Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)

Today's censure motion in the European Parliament is a stunt by the far right and people that the President of the European Commission has referred to as "Putin's puppets". They are seeking to divide Europe at this time. I am disappointed to see the far left lining up with the far right on this issue. The censure motion, by the way, has nothing whatsoever to do with Gaza. As the Deputy knows, it relates to a different issue around a ruling relating to text messages. The impact of the censure motion would be that Maroš Šefčovič, the EU Trade Commissioner, to whom I hope to talk later today, would be out of a job. Our very excellent Commissioner from Ireland, Michael McGrath from Cork, would be out of a job. The entire European Commission would be out on its ear. To even fathom for a moment that it is an intelligent thing to do at a time of huge global instability is pathetic politics. That is my strong and clear view in that regard.

On the Middle East, I absolutely believe what is happening to the people of Gaza is a genocide, as do the Taoiseach and the Irish Government. We have been clear in that regard. Of course, the Middle East, as a region, is experiencing major instability with multiple crises and conflicts, many of which are interrelated. The situation in Gaza is appalling and deteriorating. Those words do not capture the situation. That was an understatement. The same is true of the situation in the West Bank. These remain a central focus of my engagement and that of the Minister of State, Deputy Thomas Byrne, with the EU and other international counterparts.

Ireland has consistently condemned the ongoing activities of Israel in Gaza. The current volume and pace of aid delivered into Gaza under Israel's so-called partial lifting of the blockade remains extraordinarily insufficient to meet the needs of Gaza's entire population. As Deputy Ó Laoghaire reminded us, we have seen people killed while queuing for aid. I share the concerns of the United Nations and other credible international actors that the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation is not operating in accordance with any humanitarian principles or law.

I welcome the fact that ceasefire talks are under way. I had the opportunity to speak to the Qatari Prime Minister and foreign minister in Dublin last week. I commend the role of mediators and their efforts to secure progress. Ireland has repeatedly, both bilaterally and at a multilateral level, called on Israel to comply with international law, stressing the universal applicability of international law.

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