Frances Black (Independent) | Oireachtas source

This Tuesday a letter was sent to the EU high representative vice president by 370 parliamentarians across Europe calling on the EU to take immediate steps to prevent the displacement and forcible transfer of Palestinians in the occupied Palestinian territory and to actualise differentiation between illegal Israeli settlements in all dealings with Israel. I was hugely proud to be a signatory of this letter and I commend the 69 other Irish parliamentarians who did the same. In the letter, we expressed our deep concern regarding the intensification of Israel's actions in Gaza, the loss of life encountered on both sides of the conflict and the devastating humanitarian consequences experienced in Gaza because of the recent escalation in the conflict. These are not new concerns. Many parliamentarians around Europe, myself included, have been banging the drum about this for some time. A recent report by Human Rights Watch concluded that Israel had crossed a threshold in its actions in the occupied Palestinian territories such that it meets the legal definition of apartheid. The widespread displacement and forcible transfer of Palestinians that is taking place across the West Bank at present, including imminently in the East Jerusalem neighbourhoods of Sheikh Jarrah and Silwan are part of that reality. As a signatory of the letter, I stand firm in my support of stated European policy regarding the illegality of Israeli settlements but the Union needs to move beyond words to action. I would like a debate on this issue in the new year. We must keep Palestine on the agenda. The parliamentarians in Europe are really gathering together to talk about this issue. The people of Palestine are looking to Ireland to lead in resolving this conflict because of the great work we have done in the past on Palestine and on apartheid in the past 30 or 40 years.

The other thing I would like to talk about is what is happening to the music industry and where this €50 million is going. I am inundated. I am trying not to get upset here because what is happening to musicians and how they have been disregarded and shown no respect is so upsetting. Nobody is talking about the PUP. I do not know where this money is going and I would like to know. I would like the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media to come to the House next week to give us a detailed report on where that €50 million is going. I want the musicians to get what they deserve. Christmas is coming. There is no money for Santa or to pay their bills or mortgages. It is not right. We must get to the bottom of this because they are all contacting me to ask what is going on and I have no clue. I am not even sure the Taoiseach has a clue. I do not know who knows what is going on so I need the Minister to come in here next week and I really mean that. I want to hear what is going on because it is not on. The mental health difficulties musicians are going through are horrendous. It is a horrendous time for this to happen coming up to Christmas so I need the Minister to come in here. It is urgent.