Labhrás Ó Murchú (Fianna Fail)

He went there and briefed his colleagues afterwards. It is important to remember that very often it is stated that small countries follow on the coat tails of the big powers. Ireland has proved once again that this is not true regarding this country. It is particularly significant that the Minister for Foreign Affairs of this Republic was the first such Minister to set foot in Gaza since Israel levelled that particular territory and massacred 1,400 people, most of them women and children. If the rest of the countries do not speak up then it is important that our voice be heard wherever the opportunity arises.

The Minister stated it quite clearly; the conditions existing in Gaza are absolutely horrific and inhumane. It is amazing how silent people can become. The same countries were very quick on other occasions to speak out and become involved in war-mongering to push their ideas. We must ask why we are so silent when we see the misfortunate people of Gaza suffering. We must ask Israel, a friendly country and - I accept what Senator Harris stated on the previous occasion - a democracy, to allow building materials into Gaza and enable the misfortunate people there who suffer day in and day out to rebuild their territory and have some opportunity of a humane existence. If we do not do so we should stay silent for all time on human rights issues.