Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)

I concur with the Deputy’s sentiments. His parting thoughts leaving at the weekend were of the young people and the mentality of the young people having suffered what they had suffered. Yesterday, during Leaders’ Questions, we discussed the occupied territories Bill. The Taoiseach talked how if it were not for media and social media, we would be blind to much of what was happening. However, we are not blind. We do know, we are aware and we cannot ignore. On a Europe-wide level, Ireland has been head and shoulders above the rest. That is not to say it has been all satisfactory by any manner or means.

The Deputy’s sentiment today is not just about the Bill, but the future, the rebuilding of Palestine and the two-state solution, which is what we think the answer is. Once a ceasefire and two states are achieved, it will be a question of how to put the resources into rebuilding Palestine and finding a way for those young people to recover and rebuild their lives. It will not be easy but I think that Ireland and all of the representatives across this House, both in government and opposition, care deeply about this issue and will work might and main to make that happen.

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