David Norris (Independent) | Oireachtas source

The voice in the wilderness was the voice of John the Baptist, and the voice of John the Baptist has rung down through the ages and is still heard today. If Ireland accepts this Bill, the voice of Ireland will be heard throughout the ages as well.

United Nations Security Council Resolution 2334 of 23 December 2016 reaffirms that Israel’s establishment of settlements in occupied Palestinian territory has no legal validity and that Israel's settlement enterprise is a flagrant violation of international law. It call upon all states to, "distinguish, in their relevant dealings, between the territory and the State of Israel and the territories occupied since 1967". There is our justification from the United Nations itself.

The Tánaiste has spoken about very admirable projects, such as solar energy projects. I raised €55,000 to put in solar energy and water treatment plants and I saw them being demolished and bombed by the Israelis. That is what happens. The Tánaiste talked about the solar energy plant and he said, as if it was something positive, that it was in Israeli-controlled territory. What do the Israelis do? Every time they feel like it, they switch the electricity off. I have seen pathetic little houses demolished by Israeli bulldozers. I have seen the results of the bombing of hospitals, of schools, or sewage treatment plants. It is appalling. The Tánaiste claims to speak on behalf of the people of Palestine. If he wants to know what the people of Palestine want, ask the Palestinian farmers in the Visitors' Gallery and they will tell him. I will surrender my time to my colleagues.