Joe O'Reilly (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

As foreign affairs spokesperson for my party, I would like to address the atrocities of the past few days. We utterly condemn as outrageous, inhumane and unacceptable the firing on protesters and the mass killings that have resulted from such action. A total of 60 were killed yesterday and, as I understand from earlier remarks, more people have died today. There has been a multitude of injuries as well. This has been going on for weeks. It is horrendous and outside human norms. It is just unacceptable on every front and I would be remiss in my duty, having the honour and privilege of being spokesperson in this area, not to say that. I commend the Leader on beginning today's proceedings with a minute's silence, which was apt and appropriate. This is not a partisan issue and I commend the fact that the Tánaiste called in the Israeli ambassador and that he was unequivocal in his condemnation, which is what the people of Ireland would request in this instance. There should be an international investigation under the auspices of the UN and if that is vetoed, I will raise the issue in the European context in my capacity as leader of the Irish delegation to the Council of Europe at the next available opportunity. It will be raised by a number of people at that forum. It should also be raised at EU level to ensure there is an international investigation.Unquestionably we should have an international investigation. While it is very difficult in the midst of such tragedy and in such a dismal situation, we should look to peace and to a two-state solution. A peace conference is an immediate requirement. Out of this horror, evil and wrong, the prospect for peace may arise somehow.