Niall Ó Donnghaile (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

A rally will take place this Saturday in Dublin, with participants meeting at 1.30 p.m. in Parnell Square under the banner "Ireland for All". It is the coming together of a range of political parties, NGOs, civil society groups and a plethora of community and voluntary organisations from right across our Thirty-two Counties. At the heart of that coming together is a celebration of the richness of our diversity, including our cultural, ethnic and linguistic diversity, as a great positive and strength for all of us in society. I encourage people to attend the rally to celebrate our diversity and our strength in that diversity. I ask that we unify and unite in support of marginalised new communities, members of which are feeling a great deal of pressure, stress and threat. Many of them have been victims of violence. Solidarity is key and so too are practical actions, including encouraging people to take part in Saturday's rally and engaging in that type of expression of support. It is important we in these Houses always reflect on our language and engage in positive expressions in supporting the people who find themselves on the margins and need our support. I certainly agree with the sentiment of Saturday's rally that an Ireland at its best is an Ireland for all. It is an Ireland that cherishes, protects, celebrates and elevates all.

A number of us have asked on several occasions for statements from the Minister for Foreign Affairs on the continued breaches of international law by the Israeli Government. We have seen ongoing and escalated levels of violence in the West Bank and Gaza as well as the loss of life of a number of Israeli civilians in recent weeks. This leads to a state of perpetual hopelessness for those of us watching from afar. I can only imagine what it is like for the people who have to endure it day in, day out. I am keen to hear what measures the Government is taking at an international level, whether through the EU or the UN. I am also keen, as I know are many others, to engage with the Government on what action it can take on its own merit. I am very proud that the Control of Economic Activity (Occupied Territories) Bill 2018 was initiated and passed all Stages in this House in the previous term. We need to take action that stands up for international law and acts against those who would be in breach of that law. I ask again that the Minister for Foreign Affairs come to the House for statements on this issue.