John Gerard Hanafin (Fianna Fail)

I share in all the comments that have been made concerning the horrendous attack on a humanitarian aid flotilla in international waters. Having heard the explanations and the well-packaged public relations from the Israeli side about what happened in Gaza, I am cognisant of what has happened to the flotilla. This time, I am not going to accept it. As a member of the Joint Committee on European Affairs, I would say my view has changed. This is proof positive that our worst fears about what might happen in Gaza and about the humanitarian situation there are coming to pass. It is as bad as the Palestinians are saying. I imagine there will be a fundamental shift among many people who strongly supported Israel heretofore. I expect they are wondering whether to cast doubt on all the statements they previously made.

Given the importance of how we are seen as a country to how we do our business, it is especially heartening that an editorial in today's edition of The Wall Street Journal, which is a major American financial newspaper, speaks about the credibility of the measures taken by the Government, refers to Ireland as a model for other countries and suggests that the Government's fiscal rectitude has been accepted by the people in proper measure as necessary. This is how others see us. More importantly, given that we receive 26% of all US foreign direct investment coming into Europe, this is how we are seen by The Wall Street Journal, which is read in American financial institutions. It is worth knowing that the newspaper in question sees Ireland as a model.