Tom Clonan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I want to echo the comments made about the Taoiseach, Deputy Varadkar. I have to say that over the years when he was Minister for Health and as Taoiseach, I have clashed with him on many occasions and we have had many very robust exchanges and disagreements. Throughout that time, An Taoiseach has shown great personal kindness towards me and my family and, particularly, my son Eoghan. I think it speaks to the man and who he is. I watched him very closely during his press conference today. I wish him well and I wish our colleagues across the line in Fine Gael the best of luck in whatever happens next and in whoever succeeds him.

I would also like to say that in the last few weeks we have heard the voice of the Irish people. They have spoken, and spoken very definitively. To quote Lincoln, with public sentiment anything is possible. Without public sentiment nothing can be achieved. To that end, and speaking to the collegiality that has been shown in this House, I would echo Senator McDowell's comments. We have very limited powers in this House but it could be a House of innovation, of moral and ethical leadership and courage. I echo Senator McDowell's call that perhaps the Whip should not always be applied in this House when we feel the weight of the public good behind us. That is something we should probably think about going forward.

I cannot let this moment pass without mentioning what is happening in Gaza and the pictures that we are seeing - it is not famine, it is forced starvation. As an Irish people we understand what forced starvation is. It is a weapon of war. It is not a famine in the received sense. I again commend the Taoiseach and Tánaiste on their very clear statements on this. Israel is committing the most appalling war crimes and genocide. We must speak out.