Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)

I join with everyone in acknowledging the friends, family and supporters of those on the flotilla who join us in the Gallery. I thank them as representatives of their loved ones, but also for their own advocacy.

In closing today’s session, I echo the sentiments expressed throughout the House in conveying my deep concern over reports of attacks on the flotilla and take this opportunity to reiterate that no unlawful or violent acts should be undertaken against those involved. In his earlier remarks, the Tánaiste set out the range of diplomatic and political actions that have been taken to ensure the safety of Irish citizens aboard the flotilla, as well as the consular services provided.

In the four minutes or so I have, I am going to try my best to try to reply constructively to some of the points made by the Deputies opposite, from all parties and none, as well as to relay a message I received from Deputy Barry Heneghan when we spoke this morning. He is on the Thousand Madleens to Gaza flotilla. He asked me to convey to the House, because he could not be here to do so himself, that this is first and foremost a humanitarian exercise. We heard in Deputy Smith's contribution exactly why that must be. We are witnessing a man-made famine that can be reversed by the actions of man. We are seeing children emaciated on our television every night. As the Minister of State with special responsibility for international development, it is important for me to put on the record the exact notion that due to the actions of the Israeli Government this is the most dangerous year in the history of mankind to be a humanitarian aid worker. More than 350 humanitarian aid workers have been killed in this calendar year. Last week, at the UN, I joined the Australian foreign minister to sign a declaration to say, "No more and let us work against it".

There are so many brave humanitarians in Gaza. They are supported by the Irish Government, through the World Food Programme, through UNRWA and, indeed, through the air drops that Deputy Tóibín mentioned. These air drops have been carried out, by friendly nations in the Arab world and by our friends in Belgium. We have supported them, but yet still we see humanitarians, nurses, workers and everyone else, victims of assassinations and death.

In relation to Deputies Cairns and Gibney who asked us to engage with our counterparts, this is already being done with, obviously, the Spanish Government, which we have worked closely with over the past 18 months through the Tánaiste, but also with all EU member states and the EU institutions, as the Tánaiste laid out in relation to his contact with Kaja Kallas.

In relation to Deputy Stanley's point on the EU-Israel trade association agreement, the results of the next European Council meeting are something that we are working on proactively at present. I was lucky to join the Tánaiste, the Taoiseach and, indeed, Deputy Brennan at the UN General Assembly. There was a special informal Foreign Affairs Council meeting of EU Ministers. Every waking hour is being dedicated to make sure that the minor, I would suggest, but first step, proposals from the European Commission President are passed using QMV. We will continue to work at that. I am assured by the Tánaiste that we will have a version of the occupied territories Bill on the floor of this House extremely soon.

Deputy Murphy and I have known each other for well over 20 years. We very rarely agree, but when we do, good things can happen. I remember being on that march with the Deputy and Deputy Coppinger over 20 years ago during the time of the Iraq War and there are various other referendums we can cite. I acknowledge the Deputy's previous involvement in other flotillas and his commitment to this. The points that the Deputy raises are true. I refer to our ongoing co-operation with EU member states that are carrying out the work that the Deputy is doing. We very much are open to all suggestions.

On the Order of Business earlier this afternoon, Deputy Mac Lochlainn raised the point in relation to a need for flexibility. We will have a long debate on Gaza tomorrow. As we enter the hours of darkness here - they are already in darkness in the Mediterranean - we hope and pray that as the 60-mile limit is reached, nothing untoward happens to anyone and the actions that have previously been taken by the Israeli war machine are not repeated. Tomorrow, we will wake and see what happens and hear what is reported on the news. People are in contact with the designated contact person from the flotilla, of course, with the families, with the loved ones and with other Government agencies and observers. During tomorrow's debate, we will obviously have to be, from a Government point of view, open to suggestions to work. When we work as a collective in the Dáil, we are able to disagree on certain things but agree on the big issues and thereby make an impactful statement, as has been made by Deputies across here. I give the House that undertaking here today. We can respond in kind but we hope we will not need to respond.

This debate brings out the depth of feeling in this Chamber collectively, and outside the Chamber to a greater extent, about the genocide that is happening against the people of Gaza and how we must continue not only to speak out, but also to act out. To Deputy McDonald's point, we will continue to act out. We are more than happy to co-operate to continue to further every move going forward.

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