Sarah O'Reilly (Aontú)

I was to speak on something else today but I would like to lend my support to Senator Patricia Stephenson's call for a proper debate in this Chamber on Gaza and the atrocities happening there. It is time the Minister, Deputy Harris, came in here to debate the issue with all those who speak with passionate voices on this issue every day. They deserve no less and the people in Gaza deserve no less.

The Government is being disingenuous about Senator Frances Black's Bill. There is a lot of hand-wringing, shoulder-shrugging and things other than trying to do something to pass the Bill going on. We all saw during Covid how governments across the EU and the world could implement emergency legislation, ban things worldwide or nationwide and impose restrictions and shutdowns. Things are possible but the will has to be there. At the minute, I do not see the will on the part of our Government and I would like to see more. Senators are inviting the Minister, Deputy Harris, to the House for a debate.