Niall Ó Donnghaile (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Ireland is by no means full. That rhetoric is quite dangerous and normally utilised by the far right. Senator Keogan needs to understand the difference between a migrant and an asylum seeker or refugee. People come here fleeing conflict, war and climate devastation in their countries and communities certainly need to be prepared and enabled for that. The vast majority of communities are open to that and prepared to open their arms to refugees and asylum seekers. The migrants the Senator speaks about come here to work in our healthcare service and hospitality sector and provide first-class services to our people. I am well up for an adult conversation but I want it to be rooted in reality and facts.

I wished to begin by reflecting on last Friday's judgment in the Aidan McAnespie case and commending the McAnespie family for their campaign of more than 30 years to fight for truth and justice for Aidan. The family finally had their day in court and their message to all other victims campaigning for truth and justice to never give up resonates with all of us. I know a number of colleagues called for a discussion last week on the issue of the British Government's so-called legacy Bill which, at its core, seeks to shut down those avenues of truth and justice for all families. I reiterate and support that call to have a debate on the British Government's legacy Bill, which Senators will remember this House unanimously rejected in a motion at the beginning of the year. Today is also UN International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People. It is, therefore, timely that we ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs to update the House on what measures the State is taking to address Israel's policies of apartheid and how we are supporting the Palestinian people in their efforts for justice and peace. Perhaps it is worth considering, something we can explore this outside the Chamber, inviting the Palestinian ambassador to the House for next year's UN International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People on 29 November and flying the Palestinian flag above Leinster House in an expression of solidarity, given that we also fly the UN flag.