Michael Mullins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I want to join with colleagues in congratulating the new Ministers and Ministers of State on their appointments. It is important that we recognise the contributions that the Ministers who will not be serving in the second half of the Government have made to the country. Many of them have contributed over many decades.

This morning Senator Tom Sheahan raised an interesting issue when he referred to how we might better leverage State assets, particularly Irish Rail and the rail network. I am keen to spread the debate out a little further. When the Leader gets an opportunity in the autumn, he might have the new Minister for Health in to discuss whether we are leveraging the assets of the health service adequately. We are all conscious that equipment worth millions of euro in hospitals is probably only being used actively between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. while, at the same time, we have large queues at outpatient clinics. Car parks such as the one at University Hospital Galway are full to capacity and people cannot use them during the day. Should we not be looking at doing far more from 5 p.m. until midnight or, indeed, through the night? Should we not be looking at how we use our assets and whether we are using them as productively as possible? It would make for an interesting debate in the autumn.

I wish the new Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Charles Flanagan, well in his new role and welcome the statement in which he voiced is support for the UN Security Council's call for a ceasefire in the current conflict in Gaza and Israel. The violence in Gaza and Israel is completely unacceptable and both sides must agree to a ceasefire in order to prevent further casualties among or suffering on the part of civilians. All Palestinians and Israelis have a right to live in peace and security without the threat of indiscriminate violence. Irish people should heed the call made by the new Minister to avoid travelling to Gaza and surrounding areas. Those who do decide to travel should register with the Department of Foreign Affairs in advance.