Fintan Warfield (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I find it remarkable that the lack of Sinn Féin presence in Westminster would be used to excuse the comments made by the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland yesterday. Her comments were not due to her listening only to one voice. I contend that she is listening not only to the DUP but to the layers of establishment that exist in London. Her comments go right to the heart of that establishment.

I want to comment on the Eurovision song contest. Israel's continued abuse of international law damages the two-state solution. Added to that, Israel is using the Eurovision as a way to present its prettier face, and to whitewash and distract attention from war crimes. Two days after the Eurovision final last year Israeli forces killed 62 Palestinians in Gaza. Tomorrow, there will be a protest at RTÉ as the national broadcaster is set to announce Ireland's entry. There should be no entry from Ireland. Time and again the international community remains silent. The routine statements of concern must translate into sanction. Israel cannot be allowed to act with impunity when committing murder. The Irish Government has a role to play. It must take the lead and send the Israeli ambassador home. Ireland must also recognise the state of Palestine, as approved by the Dáil over five years ago. The passing of the Control of Economic Activity (Occupied Territories) Bill in the Seanad is a momentous step towards banning the import and the sale of goods, services and natural resources from Israeli settlements. On the issue of the Eurovision 2019, Palestinian artists have appealed for a boycott of the song contest. I appeal to all artists here in Ireland to do the same. Israel is an apartheid State and Eurovision 2019 whitewashes apartheid.