Nessa Cosgrove (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister. I commend the Civil Engagement Group on bringing this Bill forward. What they have done is a reflection of the way the Irish public are feeling. As a group, it has used everything in its power to try to stop the genocidal horror that is unfolding in front of our eyes. The Government is way out of step by not listening and doing everything it can to stop the genocidal horror that is happening.

We are here today because the number of aircraft permitted to bring military weapons and ammunition through Ireland or on Irish-registered aircraft has hit a 13-year high, with 1,354 flights sanctioned last year. This represents an increase of 14% in weapons flights in a year and a 67% rise since 2016. There is no doubt that this recent rise coincides with Israel's invasion of Gaza on 7 October 2023 and Ukraine's defensive war against Russia.

All Senators have spoken about how, under Irish law, all aircraft carrying munitions of war over Irish airspace must apply for exemptions from the Minister for Transport. Irish-registered aircraft carrying munitions anywhere else in the world are also required to seek the same permission. To go back to what Senator Ruane spoke about, Department of Transport data shows that exemptions are almost invariably granted when sought. Since 2016, the Department has refused just 1% of the 9,848 applications, which beggars belief. Through the Department's granting of these exemptions we are being complicit in and facilitating Israel's war on Gaza which has claimed nearly 50,000 lives, almost 18,000 of whom are children.

In April 2024, the UN Human Rights Council passed a resolution calling for an arms embargo on Israel. We need to ensure Irish airspace and our airports are not used to transport weapons. It is time to act. We have all said we want to be on the right side of history. The Irish people want to be on the right side of history. What is happening is inhumane. It is no longer human and it is getting worse every day. Every day we wake up to more killings, bombings and shrapnel injuries. When will enough be enough? We have something, as a Government: we have the power to enact this Bill. The Government has the power to enact the occupied territories Bill, although I know we are not talking about that legislation. This is what Irish people want. Please do the right thing. Please listen to what Irish people want. We received more than 800 emails about today's debate. We can see the protests happening all around the country week in, week out. We have the power and please do not let us become inhuman, complicit and complacent to what is going on.