Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)

I too want to compliment all of the people who contributed here today. We in this House have to remember that whether we are in opposition or the people in government, we all have the one aim and ambition. We never thought that in our lifetimes we would witness what is happening today. The advent of modern communication methods mean we can see these horrors unfolding before our eyes. We did not ever think we would see this. It is a genocide and it is happening on the watch of all of us. Everybody is right - we are all outraged and we want action - but I believe this Government, led by our Taoiseach, Tánaiste and others, is acting.

For example, high-level talks took place in America last week. It was the priority of the Government to try to ensure that we would all come together, all over the world. I would be the first person to say larger institutions than ours are not playing their full role in this. It is not abdicating responsibility, because all of us in every country are responsible. All normal and right-thinking people would be outraged at the horror of seeing innocent adults and children, in particular, being killed. Deputy Hearne is dead right to talk about children and about fathers carrying their dead or severely injured children. It is shocking and upsetting.

It should not be the case in this House that it is us on one side and the Opposition on the other on this issue. We all want the same thing. All we want is for the killing to stop. We want the humanitarian aid to get through and the blockades to be removed. We want recognition that these people are entitled to live in peace, security and harmony. The people who are surviving are traumatised. Deputy Hearne put a very thought-provoking image in our heads when he spoke so excellently, but we also need to consider the children who are surviving, who will live the rest of their lives with the horror of what they have see. Every one of us can remember our early childhood, including the good and bad things that happened. The bad things might have been something as innocent as losing a football match. That pales in comparison to the horror of what these children have survived and have to live with and the images they have seen. It is frightening beyond belief. It is right for it to be debated in this House.

Of course every one of us is frustrated. We all want to be sure that we are doing everything we can as quickly as possible and ensuring that other like-minded people throughout the world work together. Of course, my thoughts and prayers are very much with the people on the flotilla. We want them to be successful. As well as the practical success, the image of what they are trying to do being portrayed around the world is important, along with their safety and protection. I really believe that they should be successful in their mission. All of us on all sides of the House are praying for all of those good people, who are putting themselves in harm's way for what is probably the most important issue that will ever come before us as parliamentarians in our lifetimes. Please God we will never again live to see a time like this.

Ireland welcomes the ongoing efforts to end the war in Gaza, including those of the US even though it should be doing more. Progress is being made to secure an agreement that brings an end to the violence in Gaza, secures the release of the hostages held by Hamas and ensures that vital humanitarian aid gets to Gaza. In the hope that the US efforts can lead to a ceasefire and lay the ground for a lasting peace, Hamas needs to seize the opportunity to lay down its arms and release all of the hostages.

The Middle East was a core priority for Ireland at the high-level UN meeting in New York last week, in particular the implementation of the two-state solution between Israel and Palestine. The humanitarian situation in Gaza has never been worse and continues to significantly deteriorate. Ireland is extremely concerned about the escalation of the Israeli offensive in Gaza, which will only lead to more bloodshed, loss of life, starvation and even greater distance from any hope of peace.

The famine review committee of the integrated food security classification phase system has determined that a famine is occurring in Gaza and is projected to spread further across the strip. This is an entirely man-made famine and must be halted and reversed. Ireland calls on Israel to completely and immediately lift its blockade and allow the full resumption of humanitarian aid into and throughout Gaza.

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