Labhrás Ó Murchú (Fianna Fail)

I place on the record our appreciation of the recent visit of the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Micheál Martin, to Gaza. It is to his credit and that of the country that he did not allow Israel to obstruct the visit. Israel would not grant permission for him to enter Gaza from Israeli territory, a policy which comes from a so-called friendly government. The Minister was outspoken regarding what he saw. The current conditions in Gaza are absolutely horrific. We should bear in mind that Israel adopted a scorched earth policy towards the people of Palestine through the use of weapons of mass destruction, devastating the whole area as a result. The international community has now made money available to reconstruct buildings in Gaza. This cannot be done because Israel will not allow building materials to be brought in because it claims it is a threat to security. What is happening at present is unreal and what surprises me is how quiet the rest of Europe is in this regard. The suffering of women and children in this way cries out to us all and Ireland has not been found wanting in this case. I hope the rest of Europe will take a lead from the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Martin, and the Irish Government in this regard. Let us bear in mind that Israel still has not denied collusion in the false use of Irish passports in connection with the murder of the Hamas leader. There is something radically wrong at present that this is allowed to happen. I hope all of Europe will take a stand on this. Otherwise we will be condemned at the bar of history for allowing what is happening now in Gaza to happen. It is an utter shame. If we do not speak out now, what will happen in the future? We need never speak on human rights again. Well done to the Minister, Deputy Martin. Perhaps the Leader might invite him to the House to give Members an opportunity to hear his account of what he found when he visited that area.