Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)

Go raibh maith agat, agus comhghairdeachas leis an Aire ar a post nua. Straightaway, we can all see there were particular issues in relation to the EU-Israel Association Agreement, and not only in the sense of the particular deal that was really sweet from the Israeli point of view. We talk of these humanitarian conditions but obviously there was absolutely no power in relation to enforcement. Unfortunately, there was also a lack of will across the European Union. I welcome that we and others have pushed in relation to this matter. I do not think it is an issue we can let slide.

While we have a peace plan, it is a peace plan in which Palestinians will suffer. We have seen that the Israeli regime is absolutely determined to ensure there is no two-state solution. As much as we need to push the EU, we also have to do the work we can do ourselves. Even though it is not everything, it would be good if we could publish the Attorney General's advice, so we could end that particular argument. We really need to see the occupied territories Bill enforced in full. As much as it might not have the impact that people talk about, in terms of it not having an absolutely spectacular impact, it is part of what Spain and Slovenia are doing, and it is similar to what happened with South Africa. I doubt that the action of the Dunnes Stores workers had a real financial impact but it was part of something wider and it made a huge difference in the long term. We need to be part of doing this.

See this speech in context