Patricia Stephenson (Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

I very much support the Bill the Civil Engagement Group has introduced. It puts Ireland in line with its international obligations. We would just be meeting standards by passing it.

The permitting of the passage of weapons and ammunition through Ireland is quite disturbing and represents a potential facilitation of the genocidal actions of the Israeli state. Let there be no doubt about that. Senator Higgins has spoken about the mass graves of the healthcare staff. We saw images of them with their gloves on in the graves. We have seen countless images of babies swaddled in cloth being carried by loved ones after they had been killed.

As we know, an aircraft carrying munitions of war over Irish airspace must apply for an exemption from the Minister for Transport. This means the Irish Government may have approved exemptions of aircraft carrying munitions of war that have been used in Gaza and that have been used to kill innocent people and bring terror and horror to an entire population. Can the Government prove this is not the case? Is there evidence that can be shown? If there is none, this State is literally at risk of enabling and fuelling war and killing. Not only is the State facilitating the passage of weapons used in the killing and terrorising of civilians – we all know that and can accept it in this room – but it is also in contravention of the ICJ’s advisory opinion from last year that stated Israel is violating international law and that all UN member states have an obligation to do everything in their power to oppose Israel’s unlawful actions. Enabling aircraft containing military or dual-use items to fly over or stop over in Ireland cannot be described as doing everything within our power to oppose Israel’s genocidal actions. Israel has indeed been acting with total impunity. What have we really done? What have we meaningfully done?

The State continues to allow munitions to be transported through Ireland. While I know today’s debate is not about the issue of the occupied territories, the State continues to completely prevaricate on the passing of the occupied territories Bill. What we are asking for in that Bill and the arms embargo Bill is the bare minimum.

The ICC chief prosecutor has sought arrest warrants for Netanyahu and the Israeli Minister of Defence for international crimes of extermination, starvation and persecution. If the Irish State continues the permit the transportation of weapons, I question whether we are standing on the right side of history. I am very comfortable saying that today because I want to stand on the right side of history. That is why I am very proud to be taking a stand on this issue and supporting the Civil Engagement Group. What will we say to the next generation when they ask what we did when we saw people being obliterated? That is why this issue is so critical.

Only 1% of exemption requests are refused. The Minister has the power to prevent the exemptions. The Government needs to be in line with public opinion on this. The public opinion is clear. The Minister has the power to refuse exemptions, so why are we continuing to potentially allow weapons of pure terror to pass through Ireland?