Labhrás Ó Murchú (Fianna Fail)

The protection and security of Irish citizens at home and abroad should be a paramount consideration of this House. Ireland enjoys a particularly high status internationally, mainly because it never colonised any other country. It has always been seen to be helping with missions, peacekeeping forces, etc. This status has been very important to us. On the issue of Irish passports being used in the murder of a Hamas leader, it has emerged clearly that Israel is implicated. Unless this matter is clarified and we take a particularly strong stand on it, other interpretations of the incident could eventually have an impact on our citizens. The Minister for Foreign Affairs has made a reasonably strong statement in this regard but it must be evident that we do not accept our passports being used in any way, particularly in such an act. If we suffer as a result of this, the blame must be lie at the doorstep of Israel. We have had to condemn it in the House in the past because of its excesses. It seems to engage in certain practices without any explanation. I call on the Leader to convey our view that we are not happy and that the matter should not be sidelined. We must be clear on the response we are receiving from Israel and that such an incident will never happen again. I understand other countries have had similar cases in which Israel used their citizens' passports. There was a very lame apology given, after which Israel moved on and did exactly the same again. This is not acceptable. It is vital that we make our views known in the strongest possible manner.