Pearse Doherty (Sinn Fein)

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire. Like my colleagues, I express and offer my sympathy to the families of all those who were killed on the Gaza freedom flotilla, the nine individuals who lost their lives in the early hours of Monday morning at the hands of the Israeli commandos, and the all those injured.

I completely disagree with the comments of my colleague, Senator Feargal Quinn. They were akin to what we could have heard from the propaganda machine of the Israeli authorities. It was unlike Senator Quinn. I agree with many of his views but some of his comments took me by surprise.

I believe all those on the Gaza freedom flotilla were brave individuals. I commend Senator Mark Daly, who attempted to join the flotilla, along with our colleagues in the Lower House, Deputies Chris Andrews and Aengus Ó Snodaigh. This is an illegal blockade which must be lifted and Ireland must play its part in lifting it. I am glad there are Irish people on the Rachel Corrie attempting to break the blockade of Gaza and I wish them God speed. I hope the Israeli authorities rescind their threats on that ship and allow it safe passage into Gaza. We should not allow any of our citizens, whether Irish or those of other member states of the EU, to be blackened as the Israeli authorities have attempted and we must defend them at all times. They are peaceful protestors who are trying to break what is an illegal blockade by the Israeli authorities.

I commend the Minister on his early response in respect of this onslaught by the Israeli authorities on the free Gaza flotilla. The words he uttered gave comfort to the Irish nation. He expressed the outrage, horror and anger that was palpable throughout the island of Ireland. I referred to the terminology he used, such as "kidnapping on the high seas", and the other language, which was deeply emotive but was very sincere given his track record on this issue.