Holly Cairns (Cork South-West, Social Democrats)

As the Minister said, we all welcome the fact that countries are now recognising the State of Palestine. We welcomed it when Ireland did so too. The point I am trying to make and the point the Minister is ignoring is that this is literally the bare minimum and that there is hardly anything left to recognise. The bar is literally on the floor when we are talking about Ireland being held up as an example. Unless the international community acts, there will be literally nothing left to recognise.

The Israeli Government has not hidden its genocidal intent. The Taoiseach acknowledged that yesterday. He said that some Israeli ministers had genocidal intent from day one, and now it is day 720. When will the response to Israel match the scale of its crimes? When is real action going to be taken? In this country, we could do more. Enacting the occupied territories Bill has been a solemn commitment of this Government - an election commitment that has not yet been lived up. Can the Minister give me a date? When will the Government enact the occupied territories Bill?

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