Results 1-20 of 50 for israel speaker:Paschal Mooney

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Oct 2015)

Paschal Mooney: I firmly believe that the only solution to the Middle East problem between Israel and Palestine is a two-nation formula. I utterly and completely condemn the actions of the IDF on many occasions, particularly in the context of the massacres that took place in the West Bank and Palestine last year. My credibility in that regard should not be questioned in any way. It is right and proper...

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Jul 2015)

Paschal Mooney: ...and others raised the issue of an alleged village called Susiya in the West Bank. A number of us had received information on this by e-mail. I decided that in this instance I would contact the Israeli embassy to establish exactly what its position was. Inevitably what happens in this House whenever issues of Israeli-Palestinian relationships are raised, we hear about the Palestinian...

Seanad: Order of Business (8 Jul 2015)

Paschal Mooney: Yes, but I wish to put on the record of the House the Israeli side of the situation. They say that the authorities in the area have offered alternative lands nearby which will improve the petitioners' quality of living, enabling access to civil infrastructure systems and improve access to educational facilities. They state the offer does not obstruct the continuation of the same...

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Dec 2014)

Paschal Mooney: ...the Deputy Leader to address this issue. I support Senator Quinn in the comments he made about the need for balance in debates on the Middle East in this House. It is not all about Palestine being good and Israel being bad. An indication, perhaps, is the interventions of Senator Norris. He is the very man who would defend the right of people to express their opinions freely outside this...

Seanad: Situation in Middle East and Ukraine: Statements (27 Nov 2014)

Paschal Mooney: ...Arab leadership should be held responsible for inciting violence, and I say that in the context of trying to resolve this conflict in a peaceful manner. They have called for days of rage against Israel and glorified the murderers as heroic martyrs. I have given the other side of the story and stated the reaction within Palestine and by the Palestinian state as we see it geographically....

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Nov 2014)

Paschal Mooney: I was very impressed with Senator Leyden's sympathetic contribution about the murders of people in Israel. I wish to comment on the previous murders of a baby, a mother and others by Palestinians. I am not sure what their motives were but Senator Leyden made reference to the case as well and to the demolition of the flat in which a gentleman lived. I agree with the Senator that such...

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Oct 2014)

Paschal Mooney: I support all that has been said in regard to the motion. I have no difficulty about a move towards recognising Palestine as a state. This is, in fact, policy which is accepted even by Israel itself, I believe, in terms of a two-state solution. I want to echo the remarks of my colleague, Senator Bradford, that whenever the issue of the Middle East comes up in this House, it is one-sided,...

Seanad: Defence Forces Overseas Missions: Statements (8 Oct 2014)

Paschal Mooney: ...the Defence Forces which have achieved a reputation worldwide for peacekeeping. It is in that context that Ireland has been sending Army personnel to Lebanon, along the critical border between Israel and Lebanon. It has not been easy for the Army. During the years it has been caught between the various factions that operate in south Lebanon. The South Lebanese Army, a proxy army for...

Seanad: Situation in Gaza and Ukraine: Statements (31 Jul 2014)

Paschal Mooney: ...am sure they will share the same impression of this debate. We seem to see ourselves as honest brokers who can affect change in this crisis due to our history and neutrality. This is wrong because Israel views Ireland as a hostile state that is unequivocally supportive of the Palestinian cause. Suggestions that the Israeli ambassador should be removed from Ireland are misplaced. At...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (29 Nov 2012)

Paschal Mooney: ...relating to Jewish people living in his country. He called on the government to draw up a list of Jews, whom he believes constitute a threat to national security. This was part of a criticism of Israel's policy relating to the Gaza Strip. For anybody who has studied the history of the Holocaust, to hear somebody from Hungary, of all places in Europe, and particularly an elected member...

Seanad: Order of Business (21 Nov 2012)

Paschal Mooney: ...a pragmatic view, fortunately, and is obviously aware of the threat to the region posed by any shift in alliances. The fact that Egypt is supporting the continuing bilateral discussions between Israel and Hamas is to be welcomed. It is hoped there will be a resolution of the situation. I believe everybody is agreed that the last thing that is needed is a ground invasion of the Gaza....

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Nov 2012)

Paschal Mooney: I add my voice to other speakers regarding the ongoing loss of life in the Gaza Strip as a result of the exchange of rockets across the border between Gaza and Israel. While nobody should condone the violence and loss of innocent lives in Israel and the Gaza Strip, I hope the ongoing discussions, with Egypt acting as an honest broker, will reach a satisfactory conclusion so that the conflict...

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Nov 2012)

Paschal Mooney: ...debate on the Middle East and Ireland's position vis-à-vis holding the EU Presidency. During that time there will be ongoing dealings, negotiations and exchanges between the EU Presidency and the Israeli authorities. It is a fact that Israel perceives Ireland to be hostile. As Senator Norris will know, Israel views Ireland as being unfriendly. The Tánaiste has been open and adopted a...

Seanad: Order of Business (9 May 2012)

Paschal Mooney: Last week one of our most successful Irish traditional music groups, Dervish, was prevented from attending a concert in Israel. This was at the invitation of a peace activist who was attempting to promote peace and reconciliation. It came about as a result of intimidation and bullying on social networks by a group in this country which, for its own misguided reasons, believes that a...

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Apr 2012)

Paschal Mooney: ...it a practice to come to the House on a more regular basis in light of the developing international situation. Over the past several days the Palestinian Prime Minister boycotted a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the continuation of peace talks. A spokesperson for the Palestinian Authority has gone on record as stating that the two-state solution involving the...

Seanad: Order of Business (Resumed) (18 Jan 2012)

Paschal Mooney: ...being brought to bear by international media moguls, it is a tribute to him that the Sunday Independent continues to enjoy such commercial success. It is a shame that Mr. Rivlin, the Speaker of the Israeli Knesset, has left the House. Mr. Rivlin's views on Ireland's position on the Middle East process have been quoted in the national media. I had a brief exchange with him in the...

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Nov 2011)

Paschal Mooney: I am assuming that is a yellow card which has been issued to the Chief Whip. I endorse all that has been said so far regarding the humanitarian crisis unfolding off the coast of Israel, off the coast of the putative state of Palestine. In that context, it would be important that the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade should come to the House. The Leader may correct me but...

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Oct 2010)

Paschal Mooney: I agree with Senator Cummins, as do Members on all sides of the House, that the integrity and credibility of Irish passports have been seriously eroded by Israeli and now Russian actions; it is terrible. At the time of the allegations involving the Israelis the Minister for Foreign Affairs requested a member of the Israeli diplomatic staff to return to Israel. In fairness, that was not was...

Seanad: Interception of Gaza-bound Humanitarian Flotilla: Statements (2 Jun 2010)

Paschal Mooney: ...in a very proud tradition that dates back to Mr. Frank Aiken and to the late Mr. Brian Lenihan in this context. I welcome the opportunity to join colleagues in condemning the actions of the Israeli commandos last Monday. I also echo the concerns expressed on all sides of the House for the safe return of the five Irish citizens. I am reassured by the Minister's comments that every effort...

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Feb 2007)

Paschal Mooney: ...in the area? As we speak, it is hoped that Egypt is brokering an arrangement involving the two factions in Palestine to create a unity government. The Minister also met Prime Minister Olmert of Israel, which gives the lie to the perception in this country that Ireland is anti-Israel. This Government has taken an even-handed approach, as has been expounded in this House on all sides on...