Niall Ó Donnghaile (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

This evening in the Dáil, my Sinn Féin colleagues will move a motion calling on the Government to recommit to a 50% contribution to the redevelopment of the A5 road. Anyone who knows the north west or has to travel it knows how notorious and dangerous a stretch of road the A5 is.Tragically, the significant loss of life over several years on this road has devastated families and communities. The people behind the Enough is Enough campaign are to be hosted in Leinster House today. In this regard, I encourage colleagues to attend a briefing hosted by Deputy Pearse Doherty at 4 p.m. in the audiovisual room. The name Enough is Enough says it all. It is time for the Government to recommit to the 50% stake in the redevelopment of the A5. We can all agree that the most important thing is the effort to save lives and improve safety on this stretch of road. The road is important as infrastructure that connects the oft-neglected and forgotten north west with the rest of Ireland and makes it easier for people to visit, commute to work and go about their daily lives in a much more safe and connected way. I encourage people to attend the briefing at 4 p.m. and urge their colleagues to support the motion that will be debated in the Dáil this evening.

The Leader will know that I have been calling for some time for statements on the situation in Palestine. Senator Black and others across the Chamber have joined me in that call. I understand we are limited in what we can do, but I am just so frustrated and anguished by the scenes of a refugee camp being attacked by air and land. On RTÉ radio, I heard this referred to as an ongoing Israeli operation. I want to have the opportunity to convey the solidarity that I believe the vast majority of Irish people show for the people of Palestine and the determination of the vast majority of Irish people to see a peaceful and just settlement. Also, I want to hear what the Irish State is doing at international level to hold apartheid Israel to account for its war crimes. It is not controversial or too much to ask that. The members of the Irish Government have rightly laid out its actions regarding Russia and its flagrant breach of international law. Maith siad; more power to their elbow. I want to know what action the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs is going to take – not on behalf of himself, because he has made it clear where he stands on these issues, but on behalf of the Irish people and the Irish State – to hold apartheid Israel to account. I hope the Leader can facilitate statements next week so we will have the opportunity to engage on this important issue and hear what action will be taken.