Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)

What is happening in Gaza is horrific slaughter. It is not just me, the Deputy and every other Member of this House saying that. We saw recently that a United Nations independent commission has ruled that what Israel is doing in Gaza is committing genocide. Many people in Ireland feel a sense of helplessness in the context of what can be done in response to it. My view is that this Government has done more than any other government in the world in response to the plight of the Palestinian people in Gaza. If we look around the world, what stands out is the fact that so many countries, including many Arab countries, have done so little for the cause of the Palestinians in Gaza. In contrast, Ireland has led the way, not just in Europe but also internationally. Like the Deputy, I was very pleased to hear at the weekend that so many other countries, including Portugal, France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Malta, Liechtenstein, New Zealand, the UK, Canada and Australia have decided to recognise the Palestinian state. I refer here to Portugal, France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Malta, Lichtenstein, New Zealand, the UK, Canada and Australia. Very many of these countries are small European countries. They have followed the example that Ireland set when, we along with Spain and Norway, decided that we would recognise a Palestinian state. There was huge pressure on the Irish Government not to do that, but we did it because it was the right thing to do. We can see that the example set by Ireland is being followed by other EU countries.

On the proposals regarding trade between Israel and the EU, when Ireland advocated that we should introduce an occupied territories Bill at European Union level, there was very little support. We now know that other countries are considering and introducing such a measure. That Bill has been very effective from Ireland's point of view in terms of putting the Israel-EU trade agreement on the agenda. Like everyone else in this House, the Deputy is aware of the historical alliances that exist between Israel and certain countries in the European Union. We can do very little about that, but the pressure Ireland has put on is having an impact. We can see that the EU-Israel trade agreement is coming under consideration. I am hopeful - and I know the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste are hopeful - that when it comes to suspension of that agreement, measures will be taken. Of course, they should have been taken many years ago. However, Ireland is a small country. We are an influential country but all we can do is use our reputation and influence to try to get others to follow our example. We can see that, to date, this has been done. When we look at the cases that were taken at the International Criminal Court, again, Ireland intervened in respect of them.

The Deputy can criticise the Government. When we look at this matter objectively internationally, however, we can see that the Irish Government is one of the most vociferous supporters of the Palestinian people and is standing up to the genocide that is happening in Gaza.

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