Garret Ahearn (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for coming to the House. I do not pretend to know as much about this conflict as others in the Chamber today, and I would not suggest otherwise, but I do understand the feeling of seeing children being blown to pieces and families searching for their children or their loved ones, as well as the pain one sees in communities. There is nothing you can say that can truly explain the sense of loss of the community within Palestine. I commend what the Minister said at the weekend and his strong words on behalf of the Irish people. It is frustrating there is no joined-up communication from the UN Security Council or from America in particular and that they do not feel the need to speak as strongly as the Minister has for the Irish State.

As many other Senators have said, it seems this issue just rolls around every few months and there is no solution. We need to talk about what we can do going forward. As people from a country where there has been very severe conflict, surely there must be a way of achieving peace in the future. As a country with a strong voice on the world stage, it is important we use it as much as we can and as strongly as we can because we do have that strong voice. I echo the comments of everyone else in their support for the people of Palestine.