Gerard Craughwell (Independent) | Oireachtas source

-----to the situation. It is too cheap and too easy. They are children. I ask anybody here who has children to stand up here today and tell me that he or she would walk them into a situation where that person knows there was a possibility that they would get shot. That in no way excuses the disgusting behaviour of the Israeli Defence Forces. Their viciousness, their cruelty and their willingness to kill people is too well known. As for President Trump opening his embassy in Jerusalem, he knew God-damned well when he opened it exactly what it would cause. It is a terrible day. We stand here with 59 people dead, and I agree with my colleague, Senator Ardagh; we must object in the most strenuous terms.

The Leader also mentioned today that legislative items are to come before the House without debate, that is, two European directives pertaining to taxation. I refer to COM(2018)147 and COM(2018)148. I do not believe that any European legislation should pass through this House without debate. I believe that time should be found and set aside to debate this legislation before it goes through. That is one job the Seanad can do and can do well. I ask the Leader to reconsider that and to perhaps set time aside to debate both of those items of legislation.I will leave it at that. There is not much more I want to say.