Labhrás Ó Murchú (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I compliment the Minister for Health on the measured manner in which he responded to questions on the tragic death of a young woman in a Galway hospital. He cautioned us all to be temperate and sensitive in our comments at this time. Anybody with an ounce of humanity would take on board his advice. He said that he was privy to certain information that he was not privileged, at this stage, to divulge. He also said that he doubted that there was a question of religious ethos involved in the decisions taken. He further stated, which I thought was significant and we should listen to him, that the medical staff at the hospital are entitled to due process. Two investigations will take place and we should not try, in the absence of all of the information and based on the privilege that we have, to in some way influence the outcome.

I wish to comment on a separate and important issue, with the indulgence of the Chathaoirleach. The Palestinian people are crying out for justice.

During the 12 months leading up to the American presidential election, their suffering went off the radar completely. Given the opportunity, small though it may be, we should speak out for justice for all people who suffer or are coerced. It is not acceptable that a nuclear power, with arms at its disposal can bully in the worst meaning of the word a small nation of people. This country has always taken a robust stand, and the Tánaiste and leaders did it in the past. When a body such as Trócaire that is working on the ground, has staff who are prepared to put their head above the parapet on behalf of those people, it is disingenuous to intimidate and silence them. That is not our history. We have never done that in the past and we should not silence them now.