Paul Gavan (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Unfortunately, we had a prime example of that yesterday when the Taoiseach was in New York attending a meeting of the United Nations. When asked about his views on the US supply of arms to Israel, he said that he would not interfere in another country's foreign policy and, "I wouldn't appreciate another country telling us our foreign policy or telling us how to proceed."

That is absolute nonsense. He is at the United Nations. That is the forum where people are supposed to say to other countries that we disagree with this policy and we think you should do this instead. All of us in this room know that the genocide that continues to unfold day after day is only possible because of the US supply of arms. Billions of arms are supplied each year and it continues on. We have a Taoiseach who had a prime opportunity to call that out yesterday and instead he ducked it. He ducked the issue. That is simply not good enough; frankly, it is shameful.

I would hope that almost everyone in this Chamber is at one now. I am encouraged by Senator Martin's comments that we should pass the occupied territories Bill. The Leader has made several good statements in the past regarding this issue. Why do we not as a Seanad make a joint and united call on the Government to pass the occupied territories Bill without further delay?