Martin Conway (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy Leader for outlining the Order of Business.

I want to speak about the conflict in the Middle East. Yesterday, I had a brief engagement with the Israeli ambassador but I had a much more detailed engagement with the Palestinian representative here in Ireland along with the Deputy Leader. When one hears the stories in great detail, it is quite horrific. I do not know what we can do as a nation, but we are known as peacekeepers. We are good at diplomacy. We had our own conflict on the island of Ireland and we at least found a working resolution to it. We have helped and supported and done peacekeeping in many parts of the world where there was serious conflict. Surely our skilled diplomats can do something to help to bring some sort of an end to this appalling situation. I am particularly concerned about persons with disabilities. Whether they are Israeli or Palestinian, they are the most vulnerable. We saw in the war in Ukraine the difficulties and challenges people with disabilities had in getting to safety. It is even worse in Gaza. Common sense will have to prevail. Something will have to be done to try to bring this to a conclusion because there are too many people losing their lives. There are too many children losing their lives. Of course, as happens in all conflicts, it is the most vulnerable who are least likely to get out with their lives.

I know that the Leader is deeply committed in whatever she can do. I know how powerless we all feel but I certainly urge the Government to redouble its efforts. Perhaps, as Deputy Leader of the Seanad, Senator Doherty could write to the Government to encourage it to do so. Whatever can be done by our skilled diplomats, who have succeeded in so many different ways, to try to help to come to some negotiated stopping of this bloodshed would be very welcome.