Mark Daly (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I join others in calling for a debate on the conflict in Gaza and the escalating death toll. It is no coincidence that this is happening at the same time as the Israeli elections. It seems to be part of the election cycle in Israel that when a general election is called, the Prime Minister decides to attack Gaza and the other side responds. There are no clean hands in these situations. I ask the Leader to organise a debate on the issue as soon as possible.

Senator Darragh O'Brien raised issues about openness and transparency in government. As I pointed out previously, only 2% of the legislation enacted in Ireland in a given year is debated by the Dáil and the Seanad, with 98% being implemented outside the Houses, much of it by officials, public servants and members of the cabinet, and very few at that. When we are appointing senior policymakers and advisers, as was the case last week with the Minister, Deputy Gilmore, openness and transparency are paramount. As my colleague said, if there was high moral ground to be found when he was in opposition, the Deputy found it at every opportunity. Deputy Gilmore now seems to think the appointment of persons to positions in other Departments without scrutiny-----