Kathryn Reilly (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I realise Garth Brooks's heart might be breaking currently, but it is not a life-or-death situation. Given that Gaza was so important that it had to be discussed at the European Council yesterday, we should discuss it here. As has been mentioned, there is a five-hour ceasefire from 10 a.m. today during which Gazans will be racing to markets, shops and banks in an effort to rescue some semblance of normality after the vicious onslaught of attacks on them. The European Council states in its conclusions that it condemns the firing of rockets from Gaza into Israel and the indiscriminate targeting of civilians. It goes on to say that Israel has the right to protect its population from these types of attack and that in doing so it must act proportionately and ensure the protection of civilians at all times. Members have already mentioned the loss of the four children who were targeted and killed on a beach yesterday. That was an indiscriminate targeting of civilians. If that were to happen in Bundoran, Skerries, Tramore, Inchydoney or Kilkee, we would be dragging Ministers across hot coals to discuss it.