Jen Cummins (Dublin South Central, Social Democrats)

For years, we have watched mothers on our television screens as they scream, cry and mourn the death of their children. We have seen children and babies covered in blood and dust as they suffer in hospitals with no medical equipment. We have seen tiny bodies covered in white cloths waiting to be buried, their family members rocking them back and forth to ease the absolute horror of holding their dead baby or child. As a mother of four, I cannot imagine holding any of my children dead in my arms. It is every single mother's worst nightmare to have a child die but it is absolutely unimaginable and incomprehensible to hold the body of a child murdered by gunshot or bombs.

On the last occasion they were in to brief to us, the doctors from Médecins Sans Frontières told us there is no colour in Gaza. It is just grey. They said people, including children, are dying as they wait in the queues to see them. These doctors are working with no medicine, no pain relief and no possibility of saving people.

Since I was elected almost a year ago, I have received thousands of emails from people begging me to do something. I am sure every Member on the Government side receives the same emails. It is absolutely galling that there is no Government Member other than the Minister of State in the Chamber for this debate. The power lies with the Government to pass the occupied territories Bill. The parties of government made promises in the elections last year but they have done nothing. Are they waiting for more children to be murdered and the genocide to continue? Every minute the Government waits is an absolute shame on every single Member on that side of the House.

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