Michael Mullins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We, as a Government, are entitled to take criticism for the way the whole Irish Water issue has been handled. I am glad we have listened to the people who have marched and demonstrated peacefully, and who have contacted each and every one of us as public representatives. I hope tomorrow when the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Alan Kelly, rolls out the plan and the charging regime for Irish Water, as well as clarifying all aspects of its governance, that most people will be happy.

We are all happy we live in a democracy. However, it is very fragile and needs to be tended. There is a responsibility on elected representatives to act responsibly and ensure our democracy is not put at risk.

It is wrong that a Member of Dáil Éireann would be out with a megaphone among people who were angry, inciting them to hatred and possibly putting many young people, gardaí and other adults at risk. Those public representatives should reflect on their actions to ensure that legitimate protest will always be part of our democracy and that people will be able to protest without fear of being injured. What happened in Jobstown was a personal insult to another Member of the Oireachtas, Senator Zappone, who with colleagues has done much for the educational system in Tallaght and who deserved respect as did the Tánaiste who turned up to acknowledge the fine work being done there. What happened is to be regretted and I hope we never see a repeat of it.

I join in the condemnation of the appalling attack on the synagogue in Jerusalem today in which four people were brutally murdered as they worshipped in their place of prayer. As the US Secretary of State, Mr. John Kerry, said it was an act of pure terror. I call on Hamas and President Abbas to immediately condemn those horrific killings. I am very worried about a statement from the Israeli Prime Minister, Mr. Netanyahu, who has vowed to respond with a heavy hand. World leaders, EU representatives and our Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade need to do everything possible to redouble their efforts to get the peace talks going. I ask the Leader to invite the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to come to the House at the earliest opportunity to update us on progress in the Middle East.