Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)

It is horrific what is happening at the aid centres, where people have been mowed down, slaughtered and murdered. It is beyond any moral compass. I have condemned unreservedly the Israeli conduct in Gaza and the war in Gaza, particularly the last phase, which without question represents collective punishment of the people of Gaza and an attempt to drive them out of Gaza or make life so unbearable that people feel they have no alternative but to leave. That is something the international community has to respond to.

The legislation is currently going through the House. The Minister has asked for further legal advices in respect of services. In terms of the latter two points regarding the export of goods to the occupied territories, that is not an issue for us. In the past four to five years, goods worth about €600,000 have come in from the occupied territories, which is a tiny amount. Nonetheless, the symbolism of the Bill is important. When we get the legal advice back, we will have greater clarity regarding the inclusion of services.

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