Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)

Fundamentally I do not disagree with what the Deputy said. I would like to see the occupied Palestinian territories not occupied. I would like to see a Palestinian state. I would like to see a peace plan that provides an opportunity for a state of Palestine alongside a state of Israel and people living in peace and security in both of them, so yes, we should move ahead with the occupied Palestinian territories but we should also use every bit of diplomatic heft we have in Ireland, the EU and the UN and work with our Arab friends and colleagues to try to end the occupation of the occupied Palestinian territories.

We have to focus on that too - and I know we agree on that - but we remain committed to the legislation. I outlined that to the House tonight. I will be back with an update shortly on it. However, we are also saying that in a different context from the one we were in only a number of weeks ago. The Deputy is right that the genocide cannot be forgotten or undone. There has to be accountability. I do not dispute any of that, but we also have a chance now, albeit a fragile one, to try to secure peace and implement the peace plan. There is no plan B. That is why we have to put our shoulders to the wheel on that too.

See this speech in context