David Cullinane (Sinn Fein)

That has to change. My question is on a different issue and I will get to it.

I support the call by Senator Mullen to invite the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to the House to discuss the closure of the embassies, but also the disgraceful treatment of 14 Irish citizens on board the MV Saoirse. These people were essentially abducted by the State of Israel and brought to a port in Israel. They have been held there since. They were asked to sign deportation papers which would have been an acknowledgment on their part that they entered Israel illegally. They had no intention of going to Israel. They were abducted from their boat. High-pressure water hoses were used on some of those on the boat. They were on a humanitarian mission to bring much-needed aid to the people of Gaza.

We have had a number of discussions in this House about cross-party motions on Palestine and its place in the world and the UN. We have an appalling humanitarian crisis in Gaza. When in opposition the Tánaiste described Gaza as a giant open air prison. The leader of Fianna Fáil, Deputy Martin, was also in Gaza and described the conditions as appalling. The president of Sinn Féin was in Gaza and also described the conditions as appalling. This is one of the issues on which there is cross-party support. It is important that all Members and all voices unite on this issue to put pressure on the Israeli Government to lift the siege and the embargo in place on Gaza. It is strangling the people and causing untold misery and suffering to the people of Gaza and Palestine. It is important for the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to come to the House and have the discussion on that issue and other issues raised by previous Senators.