Frances Black (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I second the amendment proposed by my colleague.

I commend the Kerry branch of the Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign on what it did yesterday. I was blown away. Kerry IPSC started a walk last Saturday week – it was called “Walk the Petition” – to enact the occupied territories Bill. It got 18,000 signatures by Saturday and a further 22,000 by yesterday evening. That number is probably up to 41,000 now. Kerry IPSC will continue the petition until the Bill is passed. I have to give those involved great credit for what they have done. They did it all by themselves.

A movement to pass the Bill is starting among the Irish people and the Government needs to see what is happening. It is in a bubble and does not really understand what the Irish people are doing. People want the Bill passed. They want action. Condemnation is not enough in light of what is happening in Lebanon, Gaza and the West Bank. People are being killed in the West Bank, their homes and lands are being taken from them and schools are being terrorised by settlers. It is an absolute disgrace. Ireland needs to take action. It is our obligation to do so. I know I am going on about this and that I went on about it yesterday, but I want to give great credit to Kerry IPSC.

I will quickly discuss this morning’s briefing by the drugs task force in the audiovisual room. I would like a debate on why the task force has not received an increase in funding for the past 12 years. In fact, it has suffered a decrease. I would like the Minister of State, Deputy Colm Burke, to tell the Seanad what is happening.